
n... . V/47 / 

Book. 



GoRTightlJ" 



.1 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



/ 



53 rf 



JUST FOR FUN 



JUST FOR FUN 



Bv Helen J. Currier 



A COLLECTION OF GAMES AND 

ENTERTAINMENTS FOR USE IN 

THE HOME AND CHURCH 



The Griffith and Rowland Press 

PHILADELPHIA 



BOSTON 

CHICAGO 



ST. LOUIS 
TORONTO. CAN. 






Copyright 1916 by 
A. J. ROWLAND, Secretary 



Published March, 1916 



Af-R 141916 

©CI, A4 2851 4 

*7to ,/. 



PREFACE 

After having had quite a little experience in enter- 
taining young people, at the request of friends I 
have gathered together and present in this little 
book suggestions for a number of social evenings, 
some original and some a combination of material 
gathered from various sources. 

I trust the use of these may give as much pleasure 
to other young folks as the compiling has given to 

the author. 

H. J. C. 



CONTENTS 

PAf.H 

I. Church Entertainments i 

^ II. Home Entertainments tor Large 

Gatherings 45 

III. Afternoon Parties 61 

IV. Evening Parties 75 

V. The Once A Month Series 91 

VI. A Week at Camp .... 129 

VII. Table Decorations 135 

VIII. Invitations 141 

IX. Catches 145 

X. Miscellaneous Games , 149 



CHURCH ENTlERTAINMENTS 



I 



AN APPLE-BEE 

Place around the room large cardboard apples, 
colored to represent different varieties. Pass to the 
company smaller apple-shaped cards, on each of 
which is a letter. The persons having cards to 
match the larger cards in color and shape, will 
group together and find' that, rightly arranged, the 
letters on their apples will spell the name of the 
apple represented by the large card. 

Each group will then be requested to write a poem 
consisting of as many lines as there are letters in the 
name of the apple, the first letters of the lines spell- 
ing the name of the apple. These verses should be 
read after all have finished. 

Apple Sauce 

Announce that the committee thought the com- 
pany would enjoy a dish of apple sauce, and that 

the cook, Mr. or Aliss , would take charge 

of the preparation of it. Have some one who is 
witty take this part, and unless the company is very 
responsive, notify previously those who will be 

3 



4 Just for Fun 

called on, but allow the cook to make any fitting 
comments he thinks best, for instance: 

The Cook. " I find it makes the best sauce to use 
a variety of apples, and so to-night I think I will 
use some Maiden Blushes (calling to the front tzvo 
girls), a Pippin (a young man), and a Greening 
to give it tartness (a young man). Now a little 
sugar (a young girl), with a touch of cinnamon 
(a young man) to give it flavor, and we will have a 
dish fit for a king. 

*' Now, I have heard that heat makes things ex- 
pand, and I believe while the sauce is cooking, if we 
listen closely, we may hear something that the apples 
have to say to us." 

Maiden Blushes. Duet. 

Pippin. Mock oration. 

Greening. Irish story. 

Sugar. Love-song. 

Cinnamon. Witty story. 



The above should be given without announce- 
ment, and when the last apple is through, the cook 
will pronounce the sauce finished. 

For refreshments, serve apple pie with ice cream. 



SPRING FLOWERS 

Build a light frame fence, six feet high and nine 
feet long, on each side of a gateway. Make the 
gateway of latticezvork, two feet wide on each side 
and across the top and eight feet high, leaving an 




opening of four feet, making the zuhole gateway 
eight feet in width. Three feet of the fence is sloped 
back on each side to hide the singers. 

Cover the fence with heavy drafting-paper or un- 
bleached muslin. Line the back of the lattice with 
green. 

Make the flowers and leaves on the fence by 



6 Just for Fun 

pasting on petals cut from cover-paper of the right 
color, making an opening in the center of each 
■flower for the face of the singer. 

Other flowers and songs may be used to snit con- 
venience. So7igs about the flowers 'may be found in 
kindergarten song-books. Also '' Violets/' by 
Woodman, " Daisies/' by Hazvley, and " The Morn- 
ing-glory," by Woodman, may be used. 

Solo, *' Spring Has Come" {by Maude Valerie 
White). 

While this is being sung, the singers will take their 
places behind the fence and be ready to continue the 
program when the song is finished. 

Enter Gardener, through the gate. Young girl 
dressed in gingham dress zv-ith apron, large hat, hoe, 
and sprinkling-can. 

Are you thirsty this bright spring morning? I 
know you'll feel better for a drink of cool water. I 
must give Morning-glory plenty, for she is growing 
so fast. (Lays down hoe, and brings zmter from 
zvell at side of platform, and pours on roots.) 

Morning-glory sings about the Buttercup, 
which is just beneath her. 

Gardener {drops can and listens). Why Morn- 
ing-glory, I did not know you could sing. I'll pour 
more water on her roots. Maybe she'll sing again 
and tell us how she grew so high. Here's Buttercup 
beside you watching; perhaps she can tell us. 



Just for Fun 7 

Buttercup sings "The Morning-glory" (by 
R. Huntington Woodman). 

Gardener stands still and watches while each 
flower sings. 

Gardener. I must hurry on or the sun will be 
too warm before I am through. 

Daisy sings song about the Dandelion. 

Gardener (rushes over with the sprinkling-can) . 
Oh, don't stop, here's a drink. 

Dandelion sings to Daisy '' Daisies " (by C. B. 
Hawley). 

Gardener. Now here's old daffy-down dilly; 
I wonder whether he sings bass or tenor. Daffy, do 
you sing? 

Daffy sings a few notes and stops. 

Gardener. Oh dear, he can't seem to get it out. 
Wait (runs for the hoe), I'll dig around your roots 
a little. 

While she digs, the Tulips begin to sing the 
poppy song. 

Gardener (going over to listen). Wake up, 
poppies, the tulips are singing to you. Here's a 
drink. (Poppies have had eyes closed up to this 
time, and slozdy awake.) 

Poppies sing to the Tulips. 

Gardener. That was splendid. (Daffy starts 
again.) Oh, there goes that naughty boy again. 
(Daffy sings the Daffy -down-dill y song.) 



8 Just for Fun 

Gardener. Why, here's Httle Violet. She hasn't 
said a word. 

Gardener sings "Violets" (by R. Huntington 
Woodman). 

Gardener (looking around). Oh, where are the 
Sweet Peas? Has any one seen them this morning? 
I suppose they have cHmbed the fence again and 
run away. I must go and look for them. 

Exit Gardener. 

Enter Bumblebee and Butterfly. While some 
one sings or plays, the Bumblebee and Butterfly 
Hit around, smelling the flowers. 

The Bumblebee should he dressed in black 
trousers and black sweater, with yellow stripes 
around it (the stripes 'may be of cheese-cloth) and 
large wired gauze wings. 

The Butterfly should be dressed in a gauze 
dress of either black or yellow, with large wings. 
At the close of the song, they may sit down at one 
side of the platform. 

Enter Gardener and Sweet Peas. Sweet Peas 
hang their heads as if ashamed. 

There should be ten (or at least an even number) 
who wear caps made of paper muslin to represent 
sweet-pea blossoms, two each of lavender, yellow, 
purple, white, and red. 

The Gardener stands directly in front of the gate 
with five girls on either side, thus hiding the fence. 



Just for Fun 9 

Gardener. Here they are; and where do you 
suppose I found them ? The vain httle things heard 
that Madam Sunbonnet was to have her milHnery 
opening to-day, and there they were, trying on their 
new bonnets. 

Now Sweet Peas, Hft up your heads and tell us 
about your bonnets. 

Sweet Peas sing kindergarten song. The other 
flowers disappear, and while Mendelssohn's " Spring 
Song " is being played^ the Gardener and Sweet 
Peas slowly back out through the gate, followed by 
Bumblebee and Butterfly. 

The girls with the sweet-pea caps may be used to 
serve the refreshments. 

The Well. At one corner of the platform build a 
three-cornered trellis, under which place a large can, 
surrounded by a mound, covered with green cheese- 
cloth, with tufts of moss and violets. Fill the can 
with ice-water or lemonade, and let the Gardener 
serve it to the people after the program, using a 
large tin dipper to fill the glasses. 



NATIONAL SONGS 

Trim the room with flags of different countries, if 
possible to get them. Have the four corners of the 
room trimmed to represent Japan, Holland, Ireland, 
and America. 

Japan. Trim with lanterns or umbrellas, and 
from this corner serve tea and wafers. 

Holland. Trim in white and blue, and serve cocoa 
and cakes. 

Ireland. Trim in white and green, with paper 
shamrocks, and serve green mints or reception 
sticks. 

America. Trim In American flags and bunting, 
and serve fruit punch. 

Program 

Italy. " Funkoli-Funicola!' 
Canada. " Maple Leaf." 
Holland. Holland's National Hymn. 
Ireland. " Rory O'iMoore." 

10 



Just for Fun 11 

Japan. " Japanese Love Song " by Clayton 
Thomas (illustrated). 
America. " My Own United States." 

(AH nations, grouped on the stage, sing 
''America/') 

For Holland and America, have a number of 
girls dressed in costume. The Holland girls should 
v^ear bright-colored skirts and bodices, wooden 
shoes, and Dutch caps. The American girls should 
wear the red, v^hite, and blue in some form, and the 
Irish girl should be dressed in green and white. If 
the other songs are sung by girls, appropriate cos- 
tumes could be used. 

For the " Japanese Love Song " make a large fan 
of cardboard, on which paste flowers cut from wall- 
paper or other suitable decorations. In tliis make 
an opening large enough to put the head and one 
arm through. The girl who takes this part should 
wear a kimono and wear her hair high, with paper 
chrysanthemums over each ear, and should have a 
fan in the hand that is thrust through the large fan. 

For the Chinese boy, as spoken of in the song, on 
the package of tea, get some tea matting from a 
grocer, and make it up into a package with hole 
for his head. He should have a long queue, which 
hangs down on the outside of the package. 



12 Just for Fun 

The fan and package can be set on the edge of 
draped tables on either side of the platform, so that 
the performers may be hidden except their heads. 
The tables may be hidden by large flags or curtains 
until time for the song. 

The song should be sung by some one else and 
carried out in pantomime by the actors. 



A TRIP TO CHINA 

Several years ago the ^Missionary Committee, of 
which I was chairman, took the young people of our 
society on a trip to China, to visit the missionary 
and his wife, whom we helped to support. Any 
other point which would be of interest to the local 
society may be visited, but, I will give it just as we 
carried it out. 

For invitations we used two long slips of paper 
tied with yellow ribbon, on which was written the 
following : 











f 














d 


f 




d 


e 


n 






n 


o 




n 


e 


e e 






a 






a 


o k 


e h 








r 






t i 


n t 






d 


a 




e 


1 


i a 




e 


n 


f 


e 


m 


u 


h e 




h 


a 




e 


o 


e 


C h 




t 


1 


A 


s 


c 


y W 


Sail (Date) 


at 


7-30. 




In charge of tickets. 


Steamer 




-. 


Residence. 


Missionary Committee. 


Guides. 


(Those in charge.) 









13 



14 Just for Fun 

From a friend who sold imported china we pro- 
cured a bundle of foreign newspapers with which 
the china is wrapped, and from this we made small 
envelopes, enclosing the invitations and sealing them 
with red wax. 

When the evening arrived, the guests were met at 
the foot of the stairs by the guides, who gave them 
long, red tickets, bearing the names of the stopping- 
places, written in gilt from the bottom upward. 

The company, having secured their tickets, were 
directed to board the ship, i. e., enter another room, 
where, seated upon the floor, they listened to a 
description of the boat on which they were traveling 
and the scenery through which they were supposed 
to be passing. 

Having arrived at Swatow, the company landed 
by passing into another room, and there were told 
how the officials would receive them and how the 
city looked that they were entering. This was told 
by a young man who had been to Swatow and had 
visited the homes and schools of the missionaries 
there. 

Our society supported a missionary and his family 
at Kieh Yang, China, and their home was supposed 
to be our destination. Before reaching the journey's 
end a recent letter from these missionaries was read, 
after which the doors of the dining-room were 
opened, which was supposed to be their home, where 



Just for Fun 15 

they found pictures of the missionaries and their 
school, and curios which they had brought us when 
last at home. Light refreshments were also served 
here. 

All the rooms were decorated with Chinese 
lanterns and yellow and black tissue-paper bows on 
the chandeliers, while the bay window in the dining- 
room, from which the refreshments were served, 
was hung with a curtain of black and yellow tissue- 
paper ropes. 

Before going home a sheet was hung up, on which 
had been drawn a life-sized Chinaman, and the 
young people enjoyed the 'fun of being blindfolded 
and trying to pin a queue on the head of the young 
man. 



SHADOW PICTURES 

Stretch a large curtain at the front of the plat- 
form, and place a strong light at the back of the 
stage on the floor, so as to make the shadows large 
and distinct. For some of the pictures, poems or 
stories might be read and acted out, but the action 
must be rather slow, so that the shadows will be 
distinct. 

Landing of the Pilgrims. Some books, boxes, 
and a pillow or two, will make the rocky shore-line. 
Have a number of men, women, and children, 
dressed in Pilgrim costumes, pass by over the 
rocks, with numerous bundles. 

Mrs, Winslow's Soothing Syrup. Dress a large 

^*rag doll in long clothes, or make a baby out of a 

pillow, which is more limber. Use a large bottle 

and a big spoon, and have mother alternately dose 

the baby and jolt it energetically. 

The County Fair, A procession of people, the 
love-sick couple, children with balloons, clowns, 
aged farmer and wife, families with long line of 
children, with lunch-baskets, etc. 
i6 



Just for Fun 17 

Maude. Cut out a mule's head from cardboard. 
Push it in from the side until the full head shows, 
then stop it with a jerk. Have the rider appear, 
pull, push, coax with apples, hay, etc., until he be- 
comes discouraged and backs him out. 

Her First Beau. Some one dressed as small 
child, trying to make a bow with her apron-strings, 
pulling, twisting, and turning to see herself in the 
back and at last succeeding in tying them with one 
loop and an end hanging down. 

He Waits Below. Young girl just finishing her 
toilet before going out for the evening. Just as the 
light appears, she may be an the act of putting in 
the last hairpin, adding a bow, her necklace, a little 
more powder, her gloves, hat, etc., looking at her- 
self with a hand-mirror after each article is in place. 

The Dentist. Small boy, chair, huge fire-tongs, 
and a few bottles, may make a very realistic picture. 

The Fly. Grandpa wants to take a nap, and 
settles himself in a big chair with fan in hand, but a 
huge fly, worked on a slender cord, causes him a 
great deal of annoyance. 



B 



6 
WE ARE SEVEN 

Invitation 

The Feast of the 

Seven Tables. 

Young People's Rally. 

(Date) 
One hour before Seven. 

Put the above on the outside of a folder, and on 
the inside write the following, changing the date if 
necessary. 

WE ARE SEVEN 

This invitation to you we make 
To meet with the B. Y. P. U. 

October seventeenth the date, 
One hour before seven you're due. 

And where are we, you pray us tell? 

We answer, " Seven are we." 
And all of us at the church do dwell. 

Come every one and see. 

Social Committee. 

Receive the company in a separate room, and usher 
seven at one time into the room where the supper is 
i8 



Just for Fun 19 

served. As soon as the first seven have finished at 
the first table, pass them to the second, and bring in 
seven more. The tables should be arranged in a 
circle around the room, except the pink table, which 
should be in the center. The following menu may 
be served at small cost : 

White Table 
(All zvhite, with white flowers.) 
Cold roast pork. 
Creamed potatoes. 
White bread and butter. 

Brown Table 
{Trimmed in brown leaves,) 
Beans. 

Brown bread. 
Chopped pickle. 

Green Table 
(Trimmed in green vines.) 
Potato sal^d with parsley. 
Wafers tied with green ribbon. 
Olives. 

Red Table 
(Red candles, circles of red crepe paper under plates.) 
Strawberry sherbet. 
Wafers tied with red ribbon. 

Yellow Table 
(Strips and bows of yellow crepe paper.) 
Pumpkin pie. 
Cheese. 



20 Just for Fun 



Orange Table 

{Pumpkin for centerpiece, with nasturtium vines and 
blossoms.) 

Half oranges. 
Orange cake. 

Pink Table 
(Carnatiotis.) 

Mints. 
Water. 



I 

i 



A FALL RALLY 

Write the invitation on paper cut and colored to 
represent autumn leaves. 

When the time arrives for the meeting to open, 
let the president, who is wearing the colors of the 
society, call the meeting to order and lead the open- 
ing exercises. 

The president will then call for the minutes of the 
last business meeting. The secretary, who with 
the chairmen of committees, has been hidden by a 
screen or in another room, appears, covered with 
clock-faces cut from cardboard, and reads the 
minutes, and at the close takes her seat on the 
platform. 

Each committee is then called in order, and the 
chairman makes a report of plans for the winter, 
and takes a seat on the platform or close by. The 
chairmen should each in some way by dress or by 
badge signify the committee to which they belong. 

Membership. Brings in several of the newest 
members tied together with a rope. 

Devotional. Carries Bible and song-book. 

21 



22 Just for Fun 

Educational, Dresses as teacher, carries books 
and pointer. 

Missionary. Dresses in Japanese costume. 
Social. Strung with cakes and candies. 
Treasurer. Wears large dollar-signs. 
Follow the business with games and social hour. 



8 

THE SEASONS 

Best given in a home, where four different rooms 
can be used. 

Spring should come first. Decorate with paper 
flowers, something Hght and delicate. Yellow and 
white crepe paper might be used effectively. 

For a game have the guests write as many words 
as possible, using the letters found in the words 
'' Easter tgg." 

Play My Grandfather Has a Rooster. Seat the 
company in a circle. The leader starts by making 
the following statement to the person next to him, 
'' My grandfather has a rooster." He replies, say- 
ing, " Is that so ? " The leader answers, " Yes, 
that's so." No. 2 then turns to No. 3 and makes 
the statement, " My grandfather has a rooster," and 
on being asked by No. 3, "Is that so?" he turns 
back to No. i and asks, " Is that so ? " and receives 
the same reply as before, and passes it on; and so 
the same question goes back to the leader each time, 
imtil it has been around the circle. 

23 



X 



24 Just for Fun 

Then the leader starts again with the same state- 
ment, " My grandfather has a rooster," and this 
time is asked, " Does he crow ? " The answer, 
" Yes, he crows," goes around as before. 

The third time the question is changed to " How 
does he crow ? " which will call for much variety 
of imitation of barnyard calls and a great deal of 
fun. 

Summer. Use Japanese lanterns and plants to 
remind one of cool evenings after warm days. 

A Love-Story in Flowers 

She was commonly called Daisy, but her real 
name was (Marguerite). In nationality and ap- 
pearance she was an (American Beauty). She 
was tall, with skin as white as a (lily), and eyes 
as blue as (forget-me-nots). She was wooed by a 
handsome young man, who from disposition and 
name was called (Sweet-william). His object in 
matrimony was to (Marigold), but he sincerely 
loved the maiden and (aster) to marry him. She 
put up her (tulips) and gave him a kiss, and told 
him to ask (poppy). Her father willingly con- 
sented, and now they were to be married. 

Of course (Jack-in-the-pulpit) was to perform 
the ceremony. The bride looked very beautiful in a 



Just for Fun 25 

white satin gown, and in her hair she wore (orange- 
blossoms). WilHam had on his (bachelor's-buttons) 
for the last time. As the wedding took place on 
the Fourth of July, the church was appropriately 
decorated with (flags). They were married at 
(four o'clock) in the afternoon, a somewhat unusual 
(thyme), and then returned home accompanied by 
(phlox) of friends. A bounteous feast was there 
served. 

They had a good cook, (black-eyed Susan) by 
name, who was assisted by (Johnny-jump-up), a 
spry little boy. After the f^ast the bride and groom 
drove away, and the young folks threw (lady's- 
slippers) after them. Daisy's little brother did 
(balsam) on her departure, but he was soon com- 
forted. Daisy realized for the first time that she 
had left the home of her childhood, and that she 
was to (live-forever) with this man. The marriage 
proved to be a happy one, and Daisy ruled her hus- 
band with a (goldenrod). 

Fall. Hallowe'en decorations would be suitable 
for this room. Witches, black cats, pumpkins, etc. 

Fix a small tent, in the door of which sits a gipsy 
fortune-teller, who through various means, tea- 
leaves, drawing numbers to which fortunes are 
attached, etc., foretells coming events. For list of 
fortunes see page 85. 



26 Just for Fun 

Winter. Have table in white, with red candles 
and tiny Christmas trees at corners, with large ball 
of cotton to represent snowball in center, with a 
sprig of holly on top of ball. 

Serve ice with cherry on top, and cake. Also 
white cream-candy balls. 



i 



• ALL HONOR TO JANE 

Scene laid in country sitting-room. Fireplace, 
old clock, candles, high-backed chair, etc., to make 
the room look old-fashioned. 

Characters 

Grandma Wayne, dressed as old lady, with 
white hair, zcearing shawl and cap. 

Jane, housekeeper, dressed plainly, hair drawn 
back tight, plenty of aprons. 

Mrs. Wayne's children: 



Eleanor 


Fanny 


Rachel 


Beth 


Henry 


James 


George 







Four or five grandchildren. 
]\Iaria and other neighbors. 

SCENE I 

Grandma seated in an armchair, knitting. 
Enter Jane with letters, turning them over and 
eying the postmarks. 

27 



28 Just for Fun 

Jane. Here's your letters, mum. Rather short 
for Christmas, mum, unless they are coming home. 

Grandma. They are very busy, no doubt, and 
haven't much time to write long letters. Let me 
have them, Jane, and see what they have to say. 
Yes, they have all written except James, and we 
shall either see or hear from him to-morrow, if he is 
not held up on his western trip and unable to come 
home. (Opens letters and readSj while Jane pre- 
tends to dust and tries to peep over her shoulder.) 

Jane. I hope some of them are coming home, 
mum ? 

Grandma. Well, no ; you see, they are all so busy. 
Beth has the Christmas music to see to. Eleanor is 
invited to the Elliotts' to a house party. George 
and Fanny are expecting company, and Henry says 
that Rachel and the children are well, but doesn't 
say what they will do Christmas Day. They all send 
love and Christmas greetings, and hope we will 
have a jolly Christmas. 

Jane. Humph, jolly Christmas indeed! Did 
you ever in all your born days ! But that's the way 
with children. Let their parents raise them, and 
then go gallivanting around the world to house 
parties and such, and leave their mother to spend 
Christmas alone. Jolly Christmas indeed! If 
Master James doesn't come home we will not have 
any jollification at all. 



Just for Fun 29 

Grandma. Hush, Jane, don't blame the children. 
They need to get out and see the world; and they 
always come home in August. 

Jane. Yes, when there is nothing going on in 
town and they can invite a few friends out to spend 
a week in the country. (Aside.) I suppose they will 
all send her shawls and slippers again too. We 
had enough to furnish an old ladies' home, but the 
moths almost got the best of me before I could per- 
suade her to give them to the infirmary. But I 
must go and get the doughnuts started, for Master 
James might come. (Goes out.) 

4 

The lights are lowered so that only the light in 
the fireplace shozvs. Grandma falls asleep. 

From behind the scenes is heard '' Love's Old 
Sweet Song," sung as a solo. 

Enter Jane, who brings a candle and lights those 
on mantel and goes out again. 

Christmas carol, very softly at first, and then ap- 
proaching nearer. 

Enter children and grandchildren with small tree, 
bundles and grips, the children calling, Merry 
Christmas, grandma. 

While "-music is being played the folks take off 
their wraps, greet Grandma and Jane, then open 
packages and trim the tree. Grandma holds small- 
est child on her knee, with others grouped around 



30 Just for Fun 

her, zvatching the trimming. Just as the tree is 
done, enter James from another door, with dough- 
nut in his hand. 

James. Well, mother, I did get home after all. 
Why, hello, everybody; even baby Bess is here. 
How did this all happen ? 

All greet James^ and Henry takes his hat and 
coat. 

Beth. Sit down, James, and we will tell you how 
it all happened. When you wrote that you might be 
delayed and asked me to come, I did not see how I 
possibly could, but I began to think of the lovely 
Christmases mother had given us when we were 
little, and I was ashamed that we had allowed you 
to do all the coming, so I told the others that I was 
coming; and, in short, we all decided to come, and 
here we are, and we expect to have the best Christ- 
mas we have had for years. But the part that made 
me feel like a little child was the tone of Jane's last 
letter. I wrote her and told her I wanted to get 
mother something nice for Christmas, and I felt 
as if I ought to be spanked and sent to bed sup- 
perless when she wrote and said that " Mother was 
quite comfortable, thank you, mum, and needed 
nothing, and that the old ladies in the infirmary 
were all supplied with shawls and slippers, and 
wouldn't need any this year." I hope when she sees 
what we brought, she will forgive us, and give us a 



Just for Fun 31 

good old-fashioned Christmas dinner, though we 
don't deserve it. 

Eleanor (seated on the arm of her mother's 
chair, puts arm around her) . No, we don't deserve 
it, and we don't deserve to have such a dear Httle, 
unselfish mother, either, who never told us how 
lonesome she was; and we never realized, either, 
that we were homesick for the old place until we 
started on the train. 

James. Let's sing something while we are wait- 
ing for supper. Start it, Beth. (All sing " HovAe, 
Sweet Home.") 

Jane (entering). Supper is ready, mum. I 
hope you'll excuse me if I haven't got enough. It 
may not be as fine as the Elliotts', but there is 
chicken, and sweet potatoes, and beaten biscuit, and 
doughnuts, and jam, and pickles, and pumpkin pie, 
and 

James. Stop her, somebody. It's not right to 
tantalize a starving man. Come, let me help you, 
mother. What would Christmas be without a home 
and Jane? (All go out.) 

INTERLUDES 

I. Two small girls come in, dressed in night- 
dressed, carrying dolls, and sing a lullaby or song 
about Santa Clans. 



32 Just for Fun 

2. Dark, except firelight. Filled stockings hang- 
ing from mantel. Enter small boy in pajamas. 
Comes in slozdy on tiptoe, looking around. I 
wonder if he has been here yet? Sees stockings. 
Runs to mantel, and zvith aid of stool unfastens one 
and examdnes it. Blows blast on horn. Voice fram 
behind scenes calls sternly, Charles, come back to 
bed immediately. Charles. Yes, father. Hops oif 
stage, with stocking under arm and sucking candy 
cane, 

SCENE II 

Christmas afternoon. Toys scattered about. 
General confusion. Children playing on floor. 
Women sezuing. Maria, a fieighbor, sits in a 
rocking-chair and rocks violently, talking mean- 
while. 

Maria. Well, I jes' can't get over seeing you all 
here. I didn't go to the post-office last night, so I 
didn't know that you'd come, but I saw smoke from 
the east chimney, and I sez to Tom, sez I, " I'm 
afraid Grandma Wayne is sick, and I better go over 
and see," for I knowed you never used the east side 
unless there was sickness or company, so I jes' 
hurried up my work and came over soon as I could, 
though my husband's aunt's stepniece was there, 
and she being almost a total stranger, I didn't know 
how she'd take it, me coming off as soon as I was 



Just for Fun 33 

ready to set down and be entertainin', but I couldn't 
rest easy till I knowed grandma was all right, and 
here you all. are having such a grand time. I must 
be going right back or my company will be feeling 
slighted, especially my husband's aunt's stepniece, 
her not knowing us very well, being from down 
Spencerville way. 

Grandma. Did you have many for dinner to-day, 
Maria ? 

Maria. Oh, not so many. Have had more. 
There was just brother Silas, and Mandy, and the 
six children, Orin and his eight — his wife is dead, 
you know, and Nellie keeps house for him — and 
Emily, and John, and Maggie, and Sarah Jane — 
that's my husband's aunt's stepniece. Oh, yes, and 
the minister's folks. Being new and only three of 
'um, I thought they'd feel lonesome. No, I didn't 
have many this year, but I must hurry back. 
(Rocks on.) 

Jane. How is Tom's asthma to-day? 

Maria. Oh, he's some better. I was only up an 
hour with him last night. He seems real cheerful 
to-day. He likes company, but I thought we better 
not have too many, so I jes' invited the family, 
except the minister's folks. I knew Miss Thomp- 
son couldn't have 'em, and Mis' Jones went to her 
daughter's in town, and Mis' Beebe's children have 
c 



34 Just for Fun 

the mumps, and most of the other ladies would feel 
shy about asking 'em. Well, I jes' must go, my hus- 
band's aunt's — O Mrs. Wayne, did you hear about 
Sam Bradford? He fell out of the haymow yester- 
day and broke his leg. I don't see how the children 
will get along. Susan Hill went up last night to 
help 'um, but she had to come home this morning, 
for she was expecting her son's wife and the twins 
up from the city. Susan said they hadn't hardly 
anything to eat, and the youngest child's shoes was 
worn through, and Almira — she's ten and takes 
care of 'em — she'd tied some pieces of carpet around 
his feet to keep 'um warm. It's 'stonishing how 
some folks jes' can't get along. They seem born 
for trouble. 

Jane. I sent a basket up this morning. I guess 
they had a good dinner, anyway. 

Maria. La, Jane, you always do find a way to 
help people. I wanted to send somethin' up, but 
there wasn't nobody to send. I must go; my hus- 
band's (Rises.) 

Beth. We are so glad you came, Mrs. White. 
Do you remember how I used to come to your house, 
and you always had a jar of sugar cookies in the 
dining-room cupboard? Do you still have it there? 

Maria. La, yes, honey. I couldn't keep house 
without that jar of cookies. Come down and help 
yourself. 



Just for Fun 35 

Beth. I certainly shall if I can, but you are all 
coming up to-night, aren't you? We expect you. 
Jane has promised us a real old-fashioned Christ- 
mas; and Maria, do wear your wedding-dress, 
please. I know you have it, for you showed it to 
me one day. We are all going to dress up for fun. 
See, I'm fixing this over to wear. It's mother's 
wedding-dress. (Holding up a full skirt.) 

Maria. La, child, I couldn't get myself in my 
wedding-dress, but perhaps my husband's aunt's 
stepniece could wear it. I must go. Good-bye, 
everybody. See you to-night. 

All. Good-bye. 

Jane. I reckon I better set out a lunch. Those 
men will be back soon as hungry as bears. It beats 
all how they eat. 

SCENE III 

Room as before, hut in order. Enter Beth 
dressed in zvhite dress, full skirt and sleeves, short 
waist. Stands by fireplace, gazing into fire. 

Enter Jane, with more candles. 

Beth. O Jane, I am so glad you reminded us of 
our duty and we came home. It's just been the best 
Christmas we have had since we were little, and we 
have all decided to come every year as long as 



36 Just for Fun 

mother lives. We have had such a good time, 
thanks to you. 

Jane. Humph ; I guess if you hadn't been right 
sensible to begin with, what I said wouldn't have 
fetched you. You children always were kind- 
hearted, but you have a way of forgetting some- 
times ; and as for enjoying it, there's nothing like a 
good clear conscience to make a body happy. You 
can never really enjoy yourself unless you know 
you've done your duty. But sakes, child, I did not 
mean to preach a sermon, but Christmas is a time 
when every one should try to make some one else 
happy ; and who deserves it more than your mother ? 
(Starts out.) I must go and get up the apples from 
the cellar, for it's astonishing how much folks can 
eat on Christmas. You'd think they was hollow all 
the way down to their toes. All other days three 
meals is a-plenty. (Goes out.) 

Beth (laughing). Bless her heart. If you 
didn't know her you would think she begrudged 
what she did for folks. Here come the others. 

Enter rest of family dressed in old style costumes. 
Exclamations and laughter. 

Enter Jane with Maria and friends. Greetings. 
All seated at last. 

Jane. Has everybody a chair now ? Baby Bess is 
going to speak her piece. (Puts Bess on chair.) 
Now make your bow, honey. 



Just for Fun 37 

Bess speaks. Applause by all. 

Eleanor. Now, Robert, it's your turn. 

Robert recites '' Jest 'fore Christmas," by Eugene 
Field. More recitations can be inserted here if 
zvanted. 

Maria. Beth, you just must sing something; my 
husband's aunt's stepniece jes' dotes on music. 

Beth. What shall it be? 

James. Sing "Holy Night," Beth. I haven't 
heard it for so long. 

Beth sings. Now let's all sing something. Come 
up here, all you people that can sing. 

Young folks stand around the piano and sing, 
''Hark, the herald angels sing." (Jane passes 
apples to others. James steals one as she goes by.) 

Eleanor. Let's sing a verse or two of this. 
{Puts book on piano.) James, you can't have an 
apple until we are through. 

{Sing ''Joy to the World.") 

James. Now, before anybody goes, I move we 
give Jane a vote of thanks. Don't run, Jane. You 
have to sit here right in the middle of us and hear 
yourself praised a bit, for you are the one that has 
taken care of mother while her children were away ; 
you are the one who spanked us, and petted us, and 
fed us with cookies, and saw to it that we wore our 



38 Just for Fun 

rubbers when we were little; and you are the one 
who brought all the wanderers home again and 
made us realize that Christmas Day is a time for the 
truest happiness and love in the world, and the best 
place to find it is in the home. How many of you 
say, All honor to Jane ? 

All. We all do. (Clap hands.) 

Jane rises and 'makes curtsy. 

Curtain. 



10 



CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS 

Fireplace 

Build a fireplace of brick-shaped candy-boxes. If 
possible get a mantel frame, or make one of light 
wood, to stack the boxes against. In the grate place 
broken red glass, with electric bulbs beneath it. 
With a black paper background this makes a very 
realistic fire. When the other entertainment is over 
have a fairy appear with wand, who recites the fol- 
lowing verses : 

The Wishing Fairy 

I am the Wishing Fairy 

From the land of Christmas Dreams, 
And I travel o'er the country^, 

Scattering toys and chocolate creams. 

And I've come to-night in answer 

To the wish of little Bess, 
And what that charming wish is 

You could never, never guess. 

If you'll listen just a moment 

I'll whisper it to you : 
" I wis' the bwicks in Drandma's mantel 

Were filled wiv' shocolate cream.s, don't you ? '* 

39 



40 Just for Fun 

And now if you'll be good and watch me, 

I'll make this wish come true ; 
I'll touch the mantel with this wand 

And see what that will do. 

And now good-bye, for I must hurry, * 

As I've lots to do to-night 
To answer all the wishes 

Before the sky turns light. 

And if you do not get the wish 

You wish this Christmastime, 
Don't be discouraged, but wish again, 

And it will come some time. 

Let the superintendent then come forward, and 
examine one of the boxes, and show the children 
that there is really candy in them, after which the 
boxes are distributed. 

The Windmill 

Build over a door, or corner of the platform, a 
framework covered with heavy paper or canvas, on 
which a windmill can be drawn. The wings can be 
made separately and fastened on. Have a door in 
the center with a window at one side. Under the 
window place an opening, from which extends a 
trough. At the proper time a miller appears at the 
window, and at the same time a brownie comes from 
a convenient door, with large stuffed sack on his 
shoulders, and enters the mill. He is followed by 



Just for Fun 41 

another, and another, while the sound of grinding 
is heard from the mill. There will need to be only a 
few brownies if they can go around out of sight 
and come in again at certain intervals, thus seem- 
ing to make a steady stream into the mill. After 
this has gone on for a little while, small tarlatan 
bags filled with candy begin to come down the 
trough, are caught in baskets, and passed to the 
children. 

Holly Wreaths 

If there is space on the wall back of the plat- 
form, make a large wreath of holly with bow and 
streamers of red crepe paper. Have as many small 
wreaths as possible around the room, and get 
tissue-paper garlands with holly berries from Den- 
nison's, and drape along the walls with the red 
tissue bows. 

Commence your program with a holly drill. 
Have ten or twelve girls dressed in white, with, 
holly in their hair and wreaths in their hands. 
While a march is played the girls come in, six on 
each side, and march to center front, then by twos 
to center back, separate and go to the corners, face 
front, march to front, turn and meet in center front 
again, cross between each other, going diagonally to 
outside back corner ; turn facing each other, and 
come straight to center; then curve around until a 



42 



Just for Fun 



circle is formed, when if desired a song may be 
sung, then they march to the front and out at 
sides. 

The position of the wreaths should be changed as 
follows, always having outside of wreath turned 
toward the audience : 

Enter with wreath down, at (a) raise with both 
hands over head, at (b) in one hand over head, (c) 
in front below the face, (d) down, (e) over head 
with one hand, (f) hanging down from hand out- 
stretched level with shoulder, (g) in front below 
face, (h) down at side. 



OUT 
IN 



c 


B 




r 




D 




/ 






s 







If there is a Santa Claus, have him burst through 
a large wreath with paper center. 



Christmas Bells 

If there are a number of lights through the room, 
hang little bells from these, or stretch wire diago- 
nally across the room, and put a large bell in the 
center where the wires cross and smaller ones at 
intervals along the wire. Over the platform stretch 



Just for Fun 43 

another wire on which are a number of large 

bells" from which ribbons are hung. Have children 

pretend to ring these bells, and sing, " Ring the 

Bells of Heaven." If it is possible to get a bell 

or triangle that is in tune with the piano, have 

some one strike it on the accented notes as the 

children pull the bells. 

A large bell for the center of the platform might 

be made of hoops strung together and covered with 

crepe paper in narrow ruffles. From the bottom 

or largest hoop, hang a fringe of candy canes for 

the primary children. 

f 

Snow-storm 

Trim the platform with evergreen trees and 
boughs to represent a forest. Place ragged pieces 
of cotton and diamond-dust on the trees to look like 
snow, and in front hang a curtain of threads of un- 
even length with bits of cotton on the ends and at 
intervals along the threads. A good light and a 
slight draft to make the cotton move, will add to 
the effectiveness of this very realistic background 
for your Christmas exercises. 

Stars 

A large lighted star is always appropriate for a 
Christmas decoration, but if this is not available, a 



44 Just for Fun 

large star might be made of cardboard and silver 
paper, and placed over the platform, v^hile tiny stars 
hung by threads at different lengths, clear across 
the platform, w^ould be very attractive. 



II 



HOME ENTERTAINMENTS FOR 
LARGE GATHERINGS 



THE PEAK SISTERS 

As many girls as are desired may take part in 
this. 

All should dress in black, with white kerchiefs 
and black mitts and tiny white aprons, and should 
wear tall peaked caps, made of white buckram, with 
tissue-paper ruffles about four inches wide. The 
caps should be between two dnd three feet high. 

One sister should take charge and make all an- 
nouncements. 

Program 

Essay. Whitewash. Amanda Mehitabel Peak. 

Recitation. (A simple child's verse, spoken with exagger- 
ated manners and gestures.) 

Gloriana Seraphina Peak, 
The Executionist. 

Oration. Woman's Rights. Honora Anna Peak. 

Solo. Angelica Tremolo Peak. 

Paper. Current Events. Louisiana Mississippi Peak. 

Duet. (Five-finger exercise.) 

^. . f Annabell Peak. 

Essay. Housekeeping. Samantha Jane Peak. 

Song. By all of the sisters. 

47 



48 Just for Fun 

Those not taking part in the program, may be 
pointed out by the director as accomplished in other 
Hnes, as artist, geologist, etc. 

If there are just nine in the company, an effective 
closing can be made by singing " John Brown's 
Body Lies Moldering in the Grave," and at the 
end of each verse, leaving off one word, while the 
pianist plays the notes, and one sister leaves the 
stage. The director, who has her back to them 
and continues vigorously beating time, is surprised 
at the end of the ninth verse to find them gone, and 
makes a hasty exit. 



ILLUSTRATED SONGS 

A pretty, touching pantomime might be arranged 
with the following songs. 

Characters: A grandmother, sons and daughters, 
and grandchildren. 

An open fireplace, clock, large armchair, rag rug, 
etc., will be needed to ma1<e the room look old- 
fashioned. 

While " In the Gloaming " is being played, grand- 
mother enters and stands leaning against a large 
armchair. " The Old Armchair " should then be 
sung, after which she seats herself in the chair and 
sings herself, " I Cannot Sing the Old Songs." Fol- 
low this by having sung softly " Love's Old Sweet 
Song," while grandmother falls asleep. Suddenly 
from behind the scenes comes the sound of sleigh- 
bells, and the first verse of " Jingle Bells " is sung 
in the distance, gradually getting louder, and at the 
close in burst the children, followed by their parents. 
After the hearty greetings, the family group sur- 
round the fire and sing " Home Sweet Home." 

The following songs might be acted out, while 
D 49 



50 Just for Fun 

sung, the action being suited to the words : " I 
Was Seeing Nellie Home " ; " Marching Through 
Georgia"; "Old Black Joe"; "Should Auld Ac- 
quaintance Be Forgot " ; " We'd Better Bide a 
Wee"; "We're Tenting To-night"; "The Last 
Rose of Summer." 



ILLUSTRATED ADVERTISEMENTS 

These may be shown in pantomime or tableau, 
and the advertisements that they represent may be 
guessed or announced if preferred. 

Suggestions: SapoHo; Cream of Wheat; Queen 
Quahty Shoe; Van Camp's Baked Beans; Huyler's 
Chocolate; Baker's Cocoa; 1847 Rogers Bros.; 
Campbell's Soup; Fairy Soap; Pearline; Ivory 
Soap ; Gold Medal Flour. 

Many other familiar ones may be found, and a 
few local ads. will add interest to the program. 



51 



MUSICAL EVENINGS 

Behind a screen, or folding-door, arrange some- 
thing upon which various articles can be hung to il- 
lustrate the songs, of which a portion may be played 
to aid in the guessing; or if it is not desired to play 
the songs, the articles may be placed around the 
room and numbered. Cut out cards in the shape of 
some musical instrument, such as a bass viol, and on 
this write the numbers, opposite which the proper 
songs may be placed when guessed. Below space 
for name of song place authors, as follows : 

1. (Star Spangled Banner.) 

Major Key. 

2. (Jingle Bells.) 

G. Sharp. 

3. (Sweet and Low.) 

Bass Score. 

4. (Last Rose of Summer.) 

Hemi-demi-semi-Quaver, 

5. (Lost Chord.) 

Mean Clef. 
52 



Just for Fun S3 

6. (Ben Bolt.) 
7. 



8 

9 
10 
II 
12 



Barry Tone. 
(Forsaken.) 

In A Flat (boat). 
(49 Bottles.) 

Pitch Pipe. 
(The Man who has Plenty of Good Peanuts.) 

Played by Second Fiddle. 
(Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot.) 

Grace Note. 
(Watch on the Rhine.) 

Seven Sharps. 
(The Girl I Left behind Me.) 

Tremolo Stop. 



These may be represented in the following man- 
ner: 

1. Flag. 

2. Sleigh-bells. 

3. Peppermint stick hung low. 

4. A worn artificial rose. 

5. Curtain cord. 

6. Card with name " Ben " fastened to a large 

bolt. 

7. A mutilated doll. 

8. Four and nine bottles of various sizes. Fill 

with bluing if blue bottles cannot be found. 



54 Just for Fun 

9. Young man with pockets full of peanuts, 
busily eating. 

10. Torn speller. 

11. Watch on a strip of meat rind. 

12. A young man and girl standing with backs to 

audience, very much interested in each 
other; and on other side a little girl with 
large hat, hair down, rubbing eyes as if 
crying. 

Games 
love in a flat 

The door-bell rang furiously, and a (sharp) voice 
was heard asking if Miss (Overture) lived there. A 
tiny (note) was brought in, which from the (sig- 
nature) she knew w^as from (hymn). 

He wanted her to meet (hymn) at the pasture 
(bars) at eight (sharp). 

(Octavia), who was supposed to have forty 
(lines) of Latin to learn, excused herself early and 
went to her room. 

She soon (scaled) the wall from her window, and 
arrived at the trysting-place on (time). 

To an accompaniment of a (chorus) of frogs he 
sang her a little (ballad), which though sung in 
every land, has always seemed in a (measure) new. 

The (rest) of the story, is plain to be seen, for 



Just for Fun 55 

they lived happy ever after in a tiny (flat) with 
plenty of love and an occasional loaf of the (staff) 
of hfe. 

UNFAITHFUL BEN 

Ben (Bolt) longed for A Life (on the Ocean 
Wave). He dreamed of standing On (the Bridge 
at Midnight), and hearing the lookout call All's 
Well, while S (ailing) over the seas. 

As a M (idshipmite) he sailed away, and for 
many weary months was Rocked (in the Cradle of 
the Deep), but at last the good ship Columbia (the 
Gem of the Ocean) Brought (back my Bonnie to 
me). 

Sitting In (the Gloaming) one evening, I said to 
myself. Hark, (I hear a Voice), that calls me again 
and again, saying, Alice, (ivhere art thou?) and I 
knew it was dear old Ben (Bolt) returned to our 
Home, (sweet Home). 

Next day as we were Comin' (through the Rye) 
he told me to Wait (for the Wagon) while he went 
Way (down upon the Szvanee River) to get The 
Low-(backed Car). 

On his way he met Darling (Nellie Gray), and to 
her he gave The Last (Rose of Summer), and said 
in a voice Sweet (and Low), Drink (to me only with 
Thine Eyes), and together they sang, Love's (old 
Szueet Song), while Alice waited F(orsaken). 



56 Just for Fun 

As Ben and Nellie were wandering down the lane, 
they met The Man who (has Plenty of Good Pea- 
nuts) accompanied by The Wild (Man of Borneo), 
who hailed Ben with the salutation, Should (Auld 
Acquaintance he Forgot?). Ben replied, / cannot 
(Sing the Old Songs To-night) , for I am (Seeing 
Nellie Home). Nellie (was a Lady), and invited 
the men to visit her in her Old (Kentucky Home)^ 
and after thanking her they went Tramp, (Tramp, 
Tramp) down the road, singing Good (Night, 
Ladies). 



A CASE OF ABSOLUTE PITCH 

Miss A^ (Grace Note) lived in a tiny {; (flat) 
with her mother. She was a charming girl, with a 
fa (natural) courtesy and ease of manner and a 
p (soft) gentle voice. She always spoke with a 
noticeable >- (accent). 

One evening not a very [ A yl^ | (long time) ago, 
Miss Grace received a * (note) from a certain 



Just for Fun 57 

young gentleman named [( \ \ J J j-j^ (Gage), and a 



^ 




(short time) afterward the bell rang from 
below, and the young man came up the steps on a 
(quick run), whistling a few 
iii (bars) from a popular air. Grace came to 
meet him at the top of the stairs with a smile of 
welcome on her "(^ ^ r ~j^ (face), but unfortu- 



nately the landing made a tt (^) (sharp turn), and 
as the light was dim she slipped, and losing her 
^^ (hold) on the railing, fell headlong into his 
arms. Poco a poco (little by little) order and 
calm were restored in the [7 (flat), and the 
i ^t \ (chords) of love f^^ (tied) these two 
together forever after, and though a lump began 



58 



Just for Fun 



to 



(swell) on the side of the head of Mr. 




*=f 



F=+ 



(Gage), this did not seem to dim. 



(diminish) his joy in the least. We cannot take 



W^_ (time) to =r=i: (repeat) the 



(rest) of 



the story, but you may be assured that it came to a 



happy and satisfactory i=:j (end). 



A MOTHER GOOSE PARTY 

Write on small cards separate lines of Mother 
Goose rhymes, taking those most familiar and with 
four lines each. Number the cards, giving each 
group of four a number, and then mix them up and 
pass to the company. With these, groups of four 
are soon formed, and each' group should be fur- 
nished with a larger card or sheet of paper and 
pencils, and on this sheet must draw a picture to 
illustrate the jingle, giving it, when finished, the 
same number as the number on their cards. Place 
these cards around the room, and let all guess what 
they are meant to represent. The following rhymes 
can easily be used: Mary Had a Little Lamb; Old 
Mother Hubbard; Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater; 
Old King Cole; Sing a Song of Sixpence; Tommy 
Tucker; Little Boy Blue; Mistress Mary, Quite 
Contrar)^; Hey! Diddle, Diddle, the Cat and the 
Fiddle; There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in 
a Shoe; Humpty Dumpty; Little Miss Muffet; 
Hickory, Dickery, Dock; Jack and Jill; Doctor 
Foster Went to Glo'ster. 

59 



60 Just for Fun 

After this is finished, choose sides as for a spell- 
ing-match, but instead of giving out words, give 
out the first line of a nursery rhyme and see if 
some one can finish it. It is surprising to find out 
who knows them best. 

Serve ice-cream soldiers and animals and cookies. 



Ill 

AFTERNOON PARTIES 



" T " PARTY 

Get children's invitation paper, and invite your 
quests to an afternoon " T " party, putting in one 
corner the words *'' Cats furnished.'* 

Games 

4 

A STORY OF A MAN 

Once upon a time in an Eastern country, there 
lived a young and handsome (mandarin). As some 
young men will do, he fell in love with the beautiful 
daughter of a cruel (manikin). 

The young (mandarin) had heard of the Ameri- 
can way of courting, and determined to (manipu- 
late) his love-affairs in that way. 

His first (maneuver) was to serenade his lady 
with a (mandolin), and as she (manifested) such 
appreciation for this (manner) of courting, the 
(mandarin) was encouraged to proceed. 

One evening, wrapping his (mantle) around him 
to avoid recognition, he (managed), after (many) 
attempts, to reach the home of his lady-love. But 

63 



64 



Just for Fun 



alas ! all things must have an end, and when the 
chimes in the church tower struck the hour of ten, 
her father's voice was heard to utter the awful 
command (mango). 

But after some months of (manly) conduct, the 
consent of the lady was won, and a beautiful wed- 
ding took place, and the young (mandarin) and 
his beautiful wife went to live in a handsome 
(mansion) in (Manchuria). 

If your guests are mostly housekeepers, perhaps 
they would like a little " Jam " with their tea. 



I. yearbrrtws 


strawberry 


2. pelpa 


apple 


3. angore 


orange 


4. sobogeyrer 


gooseberry 


5. toncir 


citron 


6. raptfigure 


grapefruit 


7. baseryrpr 


raspberry 


8. yerhcr 


cherry 


9. mulp 


plum 


10. barkyerlbc 


blackberry 


II. deerberrly 


elderberry 


12. annbaa 


banana 


13. lappearcb 


crab apple 


14. pearg 


grape 


15. nicque 


quince 


16. rpae 


pear 



Just for Fun 



65 



17. runcrat 

18. hurrybleeck 

19. inapelpep 

20. rumyberl 



currant 
huckleberry 
pineapple 
mulberry. 



THE "T" 

What our forefathers fought for. 

A total abstainer. 

A carpenter's instrument. 

" " thy name is woman. 



The greatest thing in the world. 

6. Forever and ever. 

7. Mother of invention. * 



Liberty. 

Teetotaler. 

T square. 

Frailty. 

Charity. 

Eternity. 

Necessity. 



CATS 

T. I wonder what tabby the (catsup) to now. 

2. We will buy some (catnip) for puss. 

3. We all should learn our (catechism). 

4. Both are in the same (category). 

5. See the (cattle) grazing on the hillside. 

6. The artist's name is not in the (catalogue). 

7. It is very distressing to have the (catarrh). 

8. Be sure to visit the (catacombs) in Rome. 

9. See the (caterpillar) crawling on the ground. 
10. What does the (catamount) to? 

Serve spiced tea and sandwiches. On each plate 
put a black cat. cut from cardboard. 

E 



66 Just for Fun 

The spiced tea is made by pouring your hot tea 
over a bag of cloves and allowing it to stand for a 
short time. Leave a few of the cloves floating in the 
tea, and put it in a punch-bowl with ice and serve in 
sherbet glasses. 



THIMBLE FEST 

Invite your friends to bring their fancy work and 
spend the afternoon. About four o'clock have the 
sewing laid aside and use one of the following 
games : 

A Shirt-waxst Romance 

Her lover had been successful in his wooing, and 
had persuaded her to have the (knot) tied soon. 
But one day he reproached her for her coldness to 
him, and she replied, " I cannot wear my heart on 
my (sleeve) always." While her golden hair rested 
on his manly (bosom) he forgave her. Later he 
presented her with a lovely (belt) for her dainty 
(waist). Life is not what it (seams), for since he 
became a golfer he is on the (links) most of the 
time. She began to fear for his devotion to her, 
and to think she could not win him (back) . Indeed, 
she often felt that she would like to (cuff) him, but 
decided to (collar) him instead. She put on a bold 
(front), and told him she would break the (tie). 
He began to (hem) and haw, and asked her to go 

67 



68 



Just for Fun 



to the (band) concert. She knew she could (button- 
hole) him then, so she accepted the invitation. 

Although there is always a good deal of red 
(tape) about such matters, and one is apt to get the 
cold (shoulder) at such times instead of two loving 
arms around one's (neck), they soon came to the 
conclusion that their promises were still (binding), 
as they had both been at times on the wrong (side). 
They are married now, (facing) life with its joys 
and sorrows to(gether), while the (band) plays on. 

Dressmaker's Game 



I. 


What the farmer does to his 
sheep. 


Shears. 


2. 


To pick one's way in and out. 


Thread. 


3- 


What is thrown away. 


Waste (waist) 


4- 


A sign of servitude. 


Yoke. 


5- 


A kind of berry. 


Thimbleberry. 


6. 


A blow on the ear. 


Cuff. 


7. 


A company of musicians. 


Band. 


8. 


A deep sea animal and part 
of its body. 


Whalebone. 


9- 


An exclamation. 


Ahem. 


lO. 


A kind of music from High- 


Piping. 



landers. 



Just for Fun 



69 



11. Necessary to hang a picture, 

and a part of the human 
head. 

12. A piece of furniture and a 

weisrht. 



Hook and eye. 



Cotton. 



13- 


A grassy yard. 


Lawn. 


14. 


Part of a door. 


Panel. 


15. 


A prejudice. 


Knot. 


16. 


A process in book-making. 


Binding 


17. 


A portion of armor. 


Shield. 


18. 


Used in a broker's business. 

4 


Stocks. 


19. 


Necessity and a wing of a 
house. 


Needle. 


20. 


To appear to be. 


Seam. 


21. 


To run along the cd^e. 


Skirt. 



PROGRESSIVE GAMES 

Have as many tables as will divide your company 
into groups of four. Paste on cards pictures of 
people playing various games, and use them for 
tally-cards, numbering them for the choosing of 
partners in the games played. Here are a few 
games that might be used : 

1. Thread needles. 

2. Stabbing peanuts in a jar with a hatpin. 

3. Fish-pond. 

4. Have a pile of candy beans on a plate, and try 
taking them out with a knife without knocking 
down a tiny flag stuck in the center. 

5. Dominoes. 

Allow five minutes for each game. At the tap of 
the bell all must stop and have their cards punched, 
and the two having the highest number pass on to 
the next table. 

Have a self-serve lunch, and let the two with the 
lowest score at each table bring in the lunch for the 
other two from tables in another room. 



70 



ADVERTISEMENTS 

Cut out familiar advertisements, mount them on 
heavy paper, and place about the room. Furnish 
the guests with the names of the advertisements and 
some pins, and let them fasten the names to the 
advertisements, each guest having one or two to 
find. If the company is^ small, number the cards 
and pass them around, and let all guess the names, 
writing the answers on cards provided for this pur- 
pose. 

Much fun could be had if each guest came 
dressed to represent an advertisement. 

Another game might be made by asking the guests 
to write an advertisement limited to twenty-five 
words. Give each one present a card or paper with 
one of the following words on it, and let him finish 
it: Wanted, Lost, Found, Situation, Young Man, 
Stenographer, Correspondent, Dog, Diamond, 
Purse, etc. 

With your other refreshments, serve little sample 
packages of cakes, candies, or even groceries. 



71 



SPRING FLOWERS— A PORCH PARTY 

Write the following invitation on cards deco- 
rated with flowers, putting the name and place on 
the opposite side : 

The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la, 

Invite you to visit them; 
You will find them gathered on my front porch, 

On at three p. m. 

Trim your porch with plants and cut flowers, 
making it as fresh and cheery as possible. 

Game 

a love-story in flowers 

Once upon a time two young people met. It was 
about (four-o'clock) in the afternoon, and all the 
(flags) were waving, for it was a holiday. He 
(aster) to go with him for an outing. He said, " I 
will take my (goldenrod) with me for protection," 
and she said, " I can use my (lady's-slipper) too." 
They finally decided to go if their friends (Violet) 
and her (Sweet-william) would accompany them. 
72 



Just for Fun 73 

As they walked along the road, they saw (phlox) 
of sheep in the fields. They sat down to rest and 
munch (candytuft). He said, " Did you ever see a 
(cowslip) ? " And one of the group said, " Yes, and 
I've seen a (bleeding-heart)." Being left alone for 
a few minutes, she absent-mindedly said, " Do you 
know, I'm sometimes a (bluebell) ? " During the 
conversation which followed, he was heard to say, 
" (Forget-me-not)," and then their (tulips) met. 
After several minutes in which the words spoken 
were too low to be heard, he said happily, " I am get- 
ting a (daisy), but you will not (marigold)." They 
a (rose) and went slowly home; and now she is 
no longer a (bluebell), but is happily sewing on 
(bachelor's-buttons) which had accumulated while 
the groom was single. 

Through the paper on which this is written make 
two slits, and slip in a flower or two. 

Serve strawberries and ice cream and cake. 



IV 

evening' parties 



AN EGG-OTISTICAL EVENING 
{To be given near Easter.) 

Write your invitations on egg-shaped cards. 

Games 
Have a hunt for candy eggs. 



EASTER EGGS-TRAVAGANZA 



What eggs are necessary in an- 
swering these questions? 
What eggs are always overdone ? 
What eggs are looked for? 
What eggs cry out? 
What eggs are high up? 
What eggs are unquiet? 
What eggs banish ? 
What eggs are athletic? 
What eggs hasten? 
What eggs burst? 
What eggs investigate? 
What eggs are bartered? 
What eggs have a title? 



Eggs- 
Eggs 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 
Eggs- 



actitude. 

■aggerated. 

pect. 

claim. 

alted. 

citable. 

ile. 

ercise. 

pedite. 

plode. 

amine. 

change. 

■cellency. 

77 



78 



Just for Fun 



What 


eggs 


are models? 


Eggs-ample. 


What 


eggs 


are wide ? 


Eggs-panse. 


What 


eggs 


carry out orders? 


Eggs-ecute. 


What 


eggs 


are irritated? 


Eggs-asperated. 


What 


eggs 


are not included? 


Eggs-cept. 


What 


eggs 


travel ? 


Eggs-pedition. 


What 


eggs 


use effort? 


Eggs-ertion. 


What 


eggs 


are fond of digging? 


Eggs-cavation. 


What 


eggs 


debar ? 


Eggs-elude. 


What 


eggs 


display ? 


Eggs-hibit. 


What 


eggs 


brace up? 


Eggs-hilaration 


What 


eggs 


lay out funds? 


Eggs-pend. 


What 


eggs 


surpass all others? 


Eggs-eel. 


What 


eggs 


go out? 


Eggs-it. 


What 


eggs 


advise ? 


Eggs-hort. 


What 


eggs 


are too much? 


Eggs-orbitant. 


What 


eggs 


know by practice? 


Eggs-perience. 


What 


eggs 


are very great? 


Eggs-ceedingly. 


What 


eggs 


make allowance ? 


Eggs-cuse. 


What 


eggs 


are unusual? 


Eggs-ceptional. 


What 


eggs 


try? 


Eggs-periment. 


What 


eggs 


are too many? 


Eggs-cess. 


What 


eggs 


render justice? 


Eggs-ecutioner. 


What 


eggs 


should be imitated? 


Eggs-emplary. 


What 


eggs 


make clear? 


Eggs-planation. 



Another way to use the candy eggs is to have a 
large dish in the center of the room filled with them ; 



Just for Fun 79 

furnish each guest with a small paper bag, and as 
the conversation proceeds, each one must put an 
egg in the bag every time he uses the word " I," 
the object being to get as few eggs as possible; 
when the game has been running some time, have 
them stop and count their eggs, presenting to the 
one who has the most an egg-beater and to the one 
who has the least a large candy egg. 

Serve ice cream in meringue shells, with egg- 
shaped cookies. 



THE ART GALLERY 

Invite your friends to come to see an art display 
by local artists. 

When time for the game has arrived, tell them 
that the pictures were numbered when received, but 
the printer forgot to number the list of names, and 
so they will have to put the correct number to the 
names themselves. Give each a list of the names 
not arranged according to number, and invite them 
to other rooms than the one in which you have 
received them to see the display. The following are 
the titles and explanations of what should represent 
them : 



I. 


Hidden Tears. 


Onion. 


2. 


Bridal Scene. 


Horse bridle. 


3- 


A Drive through the 
Wood. 


Nail in block of wood. 


4. 


Old Mother Hub- 
bard. 


Wrapper. 


5. 


Sweet Sixteen. 


Sixteen lumps of sugar. 


6. 


A Worn Traveler. 


Old shoe. 


7- 


Flower of the Family 


Bowl of flour. 


80 







Just for Fun 



81 



8. A Little Misunder- 

standing. 

9. A Swimming Match. 

10. Her First Beau. 

11. The Tax on Tea. 

12. Kids at Rest. 

13. Mustered in and 

Mustered Out. 

14. My Own, My Native 

Land. 

15. Something to Adore. 

16. Maid of Orleans. 

17. Woodcuts (a group) . 

18. A Bust of a Great 

Commentator. 

19. A Marble Group. 

20. Horse Fair of '96. 

21. The Light of Other 

Days. 

22. The Ruins in China. 

23. The Four Seasons. 

24. Crossing the Styx. 

25. Bonaparte Crossing 

the Rhine. 



A doll placed under a 
card on which is the 
word " standing." 

A match in glass of 
water. 

Bow of ribbon badly 
tied. 

Tacks on saucer of tea. 

Worn kid gloves. 

Mustard in and out of 
bottle. 

Pile of dirt. 

Lock. 

Taffy. 

Shavings. 

Broken baked potato. 

A few marbles. 

Corn. 

Candle. 

Broken cup. 

Salt, pepper, sugar, mus- 
tard. 

Two sticks crossed. 

Broken bone on meat 
rind. 



82 



Just for Fun 



26. Mill on the Floss. 
2.y. NotLike Other Girls. 

28. Lay of the Last Min- 

strel. 

29. Noted English Es- 

sayist. 

30. View of the Red Sea 

and Plains Be- 
yond. 



Coffee-mill on floss. 
Doll dressed backward. 
An egg. 

Bacon. 

Make a large red C, and 
put behind it two car- 
penter's planes. 



Serve tea, coffee, and sandwiches, with olives and 
nuts. 



A STOCKING PARTY 
( Christmas. ) 

Send out invitations for a dinner party, written as 
follows, on cards cut the shape of a stocking: 

One^side 

(356 Woodward Ave.) — the Place. 

Six o'clock p. m. — the Time. 

Friendship, or guest's name — the Cause. 
A Good Time — the Result. 

Other side 

(Three) nights before Christmas 

Will you come to my house 
And hunt for your stocking, 

Which you'll find hid like a mouse. 

Have a darning contest among the men, and 
another in threading needles among the women. 

Make a large stocking of red cambric, and fill it 
with small gifts, giving each person a turn in 
drawing out a gift, or if real gifts are to be ex- 
changed, place these in the stocking. 

8.-. 



84 Just for Fun 

Over the table hang a stuffed stocking with hole 
in toe. From this hole run ribbons to each place, 
and when dinner is over, each should pull a ribbon 
and find a card attached telling them to search 
somewhere in that room or other rooms, where 
they will find tiny stockings filled with candies. 



THE WITCHES' REVEL 
(Hallowe'en Party.) 

Decorate the rooms with witches, cats, and bats 
cut from black paper or from crepe paper on which 
they have been printed. 

In one room have a small tent, in the door of 
which sits a young lady dressed as a witch in black 
dress and shawl, with hair hanging down and 
fastened with ornaments. She should also wear 
many rings and necklaces. 

As the guests come to her tent to have their for- 
tunes told, each one draws a number and the witch 
consults huge books, from which she reads the 
fortune, adding whatever she likes to make more 
fun. 

Fortunes for Ladies 

1. Will marry three times and finally settle on a 

Texas farm. Very wealthy. 

2. Will marry late in life. Be very poor, but 

happy. 

8s 



86 Just for Fun 

3. Will marry very young, but die a widow. 

4. Will marry widower with six children. 

5. Will be engaged five times, but never marry. 

6. Scorn all men. 

7. Will be a spinster, but never give up hope. 

8. Will be a matron of an orphan asylum. 

9. Will meet a dark-haired man within a week, 

who will be closely connected with your life. 
10. Will marry within six months, but have not yet 
met the man. 

Fortunes for Gentlemen 

1. Cannot decide between a light-haired girl with 

money and a dark-haired girl with talent. 

2. Wants to marry, but father objects. 

3. Will meet a tall, slim girl soon, who will bring 

you much joy. 

4. Will marry three times for political reasons. 

5. Marry a widow with nine children. 

6. A woman-hater. 

7. Will marry young, but happily. 

8. Will marry suddenly, but well. 

9. Be slow about marriage, you may be deceived. 
10. Will never marry, though anxious to. 



Just for Fun 87 

Give each guest a black pasteboard cat, on one 
side of which is pasted a white sheet containing the 
questions for one of the cat games found on pages 
65 and 117. 

Serve ice cream in heart-shaped molds and little 
cakes. 



A GEOLOGICAL RESEARCH 

Invitation 

All those interested in geological research are invited to 
take a journey with Professor Foundhidden through a 
most wonderful region recently discovered by him. The 

party will start from Street, at 7.45 p. m. Bring a 

receptive mind and a large amount of imagination to help 
in climbing the steep places. 

Have a room trimmed v^ith branches and plants, 
a green rug or cheese-cloth on the floor — no furni- 
ture — and in the corners pile boxes or books, and 
cover with brown paper to represent rocks. The 
crevices of the rocks should have flowers growing 
out of them. 

Have some one dressed as an old man to take the 
part of the professor. Let the company be seated 
on the grass or cushions and then have the profes- 
sor give them a talk on rocks. He should make a 
long, rambling talk, and then propose to show them 
a very valuable rock just discovered. Bring in with 
much effort and ceremony a large paper sack, 
which has been blown up and tied securely and 
dented in to look as much like a rock as possible. 
88 



Just for Fun 89 

Provide the professor with a hammer. Let him 
tell of the wonders it will contain, and that he is 
giving them a great privilege to be present when 
he cracks it, and then let him hit it with the hammer. 
If the professor is one of the guests, and wishes to 
enjoy the remainder of the evening, let him disap- 
pear at this time and the hostess take things in 
charge, expressing her regret that the explosion 
has so upset the professor, but that she under- 
stands that he had planned a great surprise for the 
guests, that their future life has been all planned 
out for them, and that b)r searching the rocks care- 
fully they can find out through what is written on 
them where their life's history is written, and in the 
rock they will find their true calling in life. 

The guests then hunt in the room for brown paper 
parcels on which their names have been written, 
but with the letters jumbled. Inside they will find 
some little trinket to indicate an occupation. 

Allow them to go to another room now to rest 
from their long search, and serve them an ice and 
rock-cakes. (See recipe below.) 

Rock-cakes 

Yz lb. butter 2 cups currants, raisins, 

Yz lb. sugar (i cup) or chopped nuts 

I lb. flour (4 cups) I teaspoonful of soda 



90 Just for Fun 

1 teaspoonful of cream 2 tablespoonfuls of milk 

of tartar Juice and rind of one 

2 eggs, pinch of salt lemon 

Cream butter and sugar, then add flour, flavoring, 
and dry ingredients. Mix well, and add eggs and 
milk. Bake in drops in hot oven. 



THE ONCE A MONTH SERIES 



JANUARY 

Write the invitations on children's paper and re- 
quest the guests to dress as children. 

Games 

Drop the Handkerchief. 

Puss Wants a Corner. 

Make dolls of potatoes, and dress them in tissue- 
paper. Provide each guest with two potatoes, some 
brittle sticks to make arms and legs, two half- 
sheets of tissue-paper, and a row of pins. 

Table Decorations 

Make a little cardboard arch or gateway in center. 

Have Father Time going in one side, on which is 
the date of past year, and New Year coming out of 
the other side, on which is the new date. These 
figures also may be cut from cardboard. 

From the center of the table to the places for 
guests run baby blue and pink ribbons, on the end 
of which are place-cards cut in shape of a baby's 
shoe. Calendars might also be used. 

On the back of place-cards write resolutions, 
which can be read, such as the following: 

93 



94 Just for Fun 

" Resolved to cut all my teeth during this year." 
" Resolved not to cry more than ten times a day 

without just cause." 

Serve milk and doughnuts, or ice cream and 

cookies. Cut oranges in half, remove all seeds in 

sight, and replace with salted almonds, and put a 

stick of peppermint in the middle. 



FEBRUARY 

Valentines 

Decorate the room with strings of red hearts. 

Use sliced or numbered hearts to find partners or 
form groups, and when done, have each group write 
a valentine, which may be read when all are through. 

If company is not too large, have a valentine 
hunt. Wind cord, red for the men and white for 
the girls, from some starting-point, around rooms 
and stairs, under chairs, over doors — the more 
intricate the better. At the end of the cords they 
will find their valentines, tiny dolls for the men and 
china men of various kinds for the girls ; or regular 
valentines may be used. One girl should find a 
cat on the end of her string, indicating that she will 
be an old maid. 

Serve ice cream with hearts in center, cake cut 
heart-shape, with red Icing and red mints. 

For an invitation to a valentine party, use a card 
on one side of which is a snap-shot of your house 
and on the other the verses printed below. Under 
the picture put the date and hour. 

The ladies of this household are invited by this sign 
To celebrate the birthday of good Saint Valentine. 

95 



1/ 



96 Just for Fun 

In costume and in spirit you should come both blithe 

and gay, 
And bring some little message to express what you would 

say. 

When the guests arrive take the valentines that 
they bring, and place them in hidden spots, and 
after some games pass a plate with hearts on it, and 
let each choose one. On these hearts are written 
little jingles to indicate where they should hunt for 
their valentines. Here are a few: 

Beneath the table in the hall, 
You'll find an urgent call. 

Love and poetry go hand in hand; 
Before the bookcase take your stand, 
And patiently the titles read, 
As this may to your fortune lead. 

Be you alto or soprano 

Your fortune lies in the piano. 

To the bathtub's wide embrace 
Your fortune you will quickly trace. 

Upon my lady's dressing-table 

To find your love you will be able. 

Upon the desk in room above 

A missive waits you full of love. 

Suspended from the chandelier 
A letter you will find, my dear. 

A message short and sweet is yours 

Hidden in the china-closet ; 
From its tender lines you'll think 

Cupid turned on the love-faucet. 



Just for Fun 97 



On the eastern window-sill 
Your love is waiting still. 

In the window on the landing 
You will find your love a-standing. 

'Tis a shame to keep your love awaiting 

Suspended on the rack; 
So hasten to the dining-room 

And rescue your poor Jack. 



Washington's Birthday 

Dividing the company into two camps, choose 
some one from each cam^. These persons will go 
out of the room and decide together on some object, 
such as the sixth eyelash on the right eye of the 
Goddess of Liberty, and will then go into opposite 
camps to be questioned. Any one in the camp may 
ask questions, but they can only be answered by 
" Yes " or " No," or '' I do not know." The game 
is to see which side can guess the object first, and 
the winning side keeps the enemy's representative 
as well as their own. This may be played till all 
are captured, or it may be limited to a certain time. 

The losing side should bury the hatchet by bring- 
ing in a large cardboard hatchet decked with paper 
flowers, and have some one give a eulogy on the 
advisability of always burying the hatchet, so that 
eternal peace may be maintained. 

G 



98 Just for Fun 

Pass small cardboard hatchets on which are num- 
bers, which will divide the guests up into groups of 
about five, and after each has found his group, 
give them topics on which to write, for instance : 
An Ode to the Cherry, The History of the Fatal Act 
as Told by the Tree, A Schoolboy's Composition on 
Washington, Truth as She is Spoke. 

Serve ice cream with cherry preserves (a tiny 
flag in each cup), and cake with red icing. 

Another game that might be used is written In 
verse, the answer to each couplet being one of the 
original thirteen Colonies. 

1. Here they go all in a row, 

The whole renowned thirteen. 
This one is a lady's name 
Of all the south the queen, 

Virginia. 

2. The next, Adele, is young and fair, 

And of our praise is quite aware. 

Delaware. 

3. The third to come holds her head high 
And bids the world to all come nigh. 

N. Y. 

4. On her right with hat awry, 

The smallest stands with downcast eye. 

R. 1. 

5. The next her sums will con once more 
And say her tables o'er and o'er. 

Conn. 



Just for Fun 99 

6. The price of pork rising higher and higher 
Was noised abroad from shire to shire. 

New Hampshire. 



7. Her neighbor on the left is old 
And father to a writer old. 

8. A grave physician now we see, 
Who walks along quite soberly. 



Vermont. 



Md. 



9. Following him is a merry lass 

Who has just come home from early mass. 

Mass. 

10. The next In line is young and gay, 

And will do naught but dance and play. 

Ga. 

11. Just north of him a lonely pine 
Stands by himself eleventh in line. 

North Carolina. 

12. Just at the south is another one; 
Now guess the puzzle just for fun. 

South Carolina. 

13. And then the last of all this list 

Is quite too young for you to miss; 

Her jacket new is very fine, 

And she's the last of this noble line. 

New Jersey. 



MARCH 

Saint Patrick's Day 

Write the invitations on Saint Patrick's Day 
postals. 

Games 

potato race 

Get a quantity of as small potatoes as possible. 
Place piles of equal number at some distance from 
baskets. Start race, each one carrying one potato 
at a time to basket, until all are in the basket. To 
the winner give a potato-masher. 

PATRICK o'try 

One bright, sunny morning along in July, 

There alighted from a steamer young Pat (rick) O'Try. 

He pat(tered) up Broadway of this strange New York 

town, 
And enjoyed all the sights till the sun went down. 

He was then in great trouble, for he knew no place to go, 
And it was quite pat(hetic) to hear him relate his woe 

To a big, burly pat(rolman), who had stopped him on 

his way; 
But the officer could not understand a word that he did 

say. 
100 



Just for Fun 101 

So in a pat(ronizing) manner he bade him follow him, 
And took him to the station-house to talk with Irish Jim. 

Jim found that our young Pat (rick) was a pat (riot) at 

heart, 
But had come to this new country to get a better start. 

He had left his pat(ernal) homestead and his little sweet- 
heart Pat(ty) 

To gain a fame and fortune, for to make her rich and 
happy. 

But he soon became discouraged when he found he made 

no money, 
And determined to go back and live on his pat(rimony). 

He was satisfied to live in a^ humble little cot, 
With his Pat(ty) and his piggy and plenty of praties In 
the pot. 

Refreshments. Lettuce sandwiches, potato chips, 
olives, green tea, wafers, lime sticks. Or, gelatine 
with Malaga grapes, and cakes. 



APRIL 

Make cardboard umbrellas, on one side of which 
write this saying, " April showers bring May 
flowers." On opposite side write between the ribs 
the names of flowers with letters transposed. 

1. Oliednnad. Dandelion. 

2. Oemanne. Anemone. 

3. Mallewtiswei. Sweet-william. 

4. Athevylifoyllel. Lily-of-the-valley. 

5. Raksrupl. Larkspur. 

6. Dichro. Orchid. 

7. Xohlp. Phlox. 

8. Annizi. Zinnia. 

9. Reswunofl. SunflxOwer. 
10. Merangui. Geranium. 

For a prize for this game a tiny sprinkling-can 
would be appropriate. 

' If near the first of April, arrange the table w^ith no 
decorations other than one candle and a doll with 
fool's cap on its head. 

Before serving the refreshments prepared, have a 
mock bill of fare, and allow the guests each to 
choose two items from the following list: 
102 



Just for Fun 103 

Menu 
Compressed Trust (Beef loaf). 

Irish Crisps (Potato chips). 
One of Heinz's 57 (Beans). 

Hidden Tears (Onions). 
High Float (Cracker in glass of water). 

Lover's Greens (Pickles). 
Maid of Orleans (Taffy). 

Dairyman's Best (Water). 
Woodcuts (Shavings). 

Sweet Temptation (Cake). 
Lay of the Last Minstrel (Egg). 

Dago's Pride (Banana). 
Nuggets of Gold (Orange). 

Sweet Sixteen (Sugar). 



MAY 

Have ready a small box for each guest, to which 
wire handles have been attached. Furnish each 
guest with a box, tissue-paper, paste, and the name 
of one of the guests, and let them make from these 
fancy May baskets. Gather up the baskets after 
they are finished, and fill them with flowers, and 
place them on the table for place-cards. 

This idea might be used for an announcement 
party, by placing the cards of the prospective bride 
and groom in the baskets at the table. 

For another game use the one on page J2, " A 
Love-Story in Flowers." 

Trim the table in pale green and yellow, and use 
spring flowers for a centerpiece. 

Serve a salad of slices of canned pineapple and 
dressing, covered with nuts and placed on a lettuce 
leaf, and sandwiches. 



104 



JUNE 

Announcement parties are always in order at this 
time of year, and as it is also the beginning of the 
vacation season, invite your friends to take an ocean 
voyage with you. 

When they arrive, give each guest a little booklet, 
made of sheets of drawing-paper. Across the top 
of each inside sheet there should be written a topic, 
and the guests are to cut-out pictures from maga- 
zines and paste them on the sheets to represent what 
the topics call for, thus describing themselves. 

Topics 

1. First portrait. 

2. Kind of shoe worn. 

3. Style of hat preferred. 

4. Occupation. 

5. Favorite pastime. 

6. First love. 

7. Husband's portrait, or how he should look. 

8. Wife's portrait, or how she looks to him. 

When the guests are through with the eight 
topics, gather up the books, and while having some 
music or another game, add to each book a final 

105 



106 Just for Fun 

sheet, No. 9, on which are pasted snap-shots of the 
prospective bride and groom, and bearing the word 
" Congratulations " painted below. (This sheet 
should have the heading, " How they look to their 
friends.") 

Pass the books out again on the pretext of voting 
on which book is the best, and some one will soon 
discover the secret disclosed on the last page. 

The cover should have the following wording : 

Passenger List 
of Steamer 

BON VOYAGE 

(Paste picture of a steamer here.) 

No. 24. Cabin 16. 

Name 

IDENTIFICATION BLANK 
Note. Answer questions truthfully. 

Showers 

The month of roses and weddings should also be 
a month of showers for the bride. Here are a few 
suggestions for showers. 

Stocking, handkerchief, or linen shower. 

Ask the guests to attach cards to the articles, 
and not to wrap them up with tissue and ribbon as 
usual. When ready for the shower, after some 
games have been played, have some one dressed 
as a maid rush in, and say that it is raining, and 



Just for Fun 107 

will the young ladies please be so kind as to help 
take in the clothes. 

Lead the guests into another room, where a line 
has been stretched, upon which the gifts have been 
hung. Let the bride elect take them down. 

RAINBOW SHOWER 

Invitation 

Little drops of water 

And tiny gifts select 
Make the gentle showers 

That please the bride elect. 

And at this little shower 

We'll expect you night ; 

Come hunt the rainbow's pot of gold; 
'Twill be a wondrous sight. 

On the back of your invitation write one of the 
following couplets, duplicating as many times as 
needed to include all the guests and to make your 
pile of gifts show all the rainbow colors. 

A little bit of yellow will be needed I am sure, 
So use it on your bundle, to make it all secure. 

To represent the color of the ocean's deepest hue 
Tie up your package with a bit of navy blue. 

To make sure that the rainbow will be as said 
Tie up your package with a bit of red. 

A bow of orange ribbon will you kindly use 
To tie up the parcel, which contains what you will 
choose. 



108 Just for Fun 

To make sure that all the rainbow will be seen 
Tie up your package with a bit of green. 

To remind us of the springtime and an early 

blooming flower 
Tie a violet ribbon on your package for the shower. 

Though on this happy evening we do not want the 

" blues," 
Yet a piece of indigo ribbon we will want among 

the hues. 

Make a large wire bow. On it paste strips of 
tissue to represent the rainbow colors, and suspend 
it over the table. At one end pile the gifts for the 
bride, and at the other place the pot of gold, which 
may be a little gilded kettle, containing new pennies 
or gold nuggets of candy. 

A game which might be used at a kitchen shower 
is the following : 

1. A mischievous lady. Pandora. 

2. Part of a house. Panel. 

3. Often seen on Wall Street. Panic. 

4. Used on beasts in olden times. Pannier. 

5. A view. Panorama. 

6. A flower. Pansy. 

7. An article of wearing-apparel. Pantaloons. 

8. An animal. Panther. 

9. Dumb show. Pantomime. 

10. A good place to be by yourself. Pantry. 

11. A remedy. Panacea. 

12. Make the butterfly. Pancakes. 



JULY 

Now is the time for a patriotic party, and bunting 
and flags will, of course, be used for decoration. 

From red cardboard make some cannon crackers, 
and insert in these the list of questions for the 
game, attaching to it a fuse by which to pull it out. 

Fireworks 

1. A boat. Torpedo. 

2. A citizen of an old-time con- Roman candle. 

quering country and a 
means of light. 

3. An articleof wearing-apparel. Cap. 

4. Made in China. Firecrackers. 

5. What mother said to Tommy Rocket. 

when the baby cried. 

6. An anarchist's weapon. Bomb. 

7. A noted politician. Cannon. 

8. Part of a flower. Pistol. 

9. A vehicle and extended ele- Cartridge. 

vation. 
10. What all women are afraid Snake in the 
of. grass. 

109 



no Just for Fun 

A toy cannon, or a cannon made from cardboard, 
may be used for the center of the table. Around 
the cannon plant a number of small flags in spools 
covered with red paper, and make one or two piles 
of round peppermint balls for cannon-balls. 

Cut circles of dark-blue paper to fit the plates, and 
serve in sherbet cups an ice, or shredded pineapple, 
covered with cocoanut and topped with a red cherry. 
Serve cake with red or white icing. 



AUGUST 

For a little moonlight garden party, when the 
weather is too warm for indoor entertainments, have 
some of the guests prepared to tell of real or im- 
aginary trips to the seashore, mountains, lakes, 
North Pole, etc. 

You might also take your party fishing over the 
garden fence or from an upper porch, some one 
hidden on the other side 'or below putting articles 
on the line as each guest in turn tries the luck. 
These articles might be such as one would need 
when starting on a summer trip, such as a bar of 
soap, a mirror, a doll's comb and brush, a paper 
of pins, etc. 

Have small ice-cream boats filled with fruit for 
the refreshments, or serve whale salad. To make 
this salad, take good-sized cucumbers, cut off a 
slice almost the entire length of the cucumber, scrape 
out the center and fill with salad, replace top and 
fasten with two large black-headed pins at one end 
for eyes, and slip under the end and sides pieces of 
lettuce to make tail and fins. Wafers or sandwiches 
may be served with these. 

If the lunch is served indoors, have an imitation 

III 



112 Just for Fun 

lake for a centerpiece. Take a large mirror, and 
remove the frame if possible, so that it will lie flat 
on the table. With fine sand make a beach around 
the edge, strew with shells, and on the lake put a 
toy ship or small boats, with a doll or two in them 
to make them more realistic. A forest of ferns can 
be easily arranged, and is very effective. 



SEPTEMBER 

Guests should be Invited to dress to represent 
different occupations. Give each guest a flag, and 
have a Labor Day Parade. 

Game 



OCCUPATIONS 

1. One who uses the (golden) rule. Carpenter. 

2. A secret order. Mason. 

3. Two much used proper names. Blacksmith. 

4. A dessert. Cobbler. 

5. The first occupation. Gardener. 

6. One who makes pie. Printer. 

7. Always on a strike. Typewriter. 

8. Did he, or didn't he, discover it ? Cook. 

9. To be used with electricity. Conductor. 
10. To join pieces of cloth, and Seamstress. 

strain. 

Put up lunches in boxes to be shared by partners, 
who have been chosen by matching names of occu- 
pations. 

The lunch may consist of sandwiches, pickles, 
cake, and fruit. 

H 113 



OCTOBER 

If some friends are going away to school, have a 
Udle farewell party before they start on their 
journey. 

When the guests arrive, pass them railway tickets, 
printed or typewritten, as follows: 

MERRYVILLE, JOLLYTOWN, AND PUZZLEBRAIN 

RAILWAY 

I. Doolittle, Pres. 
Cassius B. Quick, Treas. 

THROUGH LUCKY PASSENGER-TRAIN No. 13 

I. B. A. Skinner, Conductor. 
I. U. Pushon, Brakeman. 
Billy Whistler, Engineer. 

SPECIAL EXCURSION TICKET FOR (// used for an 
organisation, put name in here.) 

RULES AND COXDITIONS 

This ticket not good returning when going. 

All lunch-boxes must be filled at depot restaurant. 

Passengers suffering from cold chills on sharp curves 

can warm on engine. * 
No rebate allowed for time train runs on the ties. 
The porter is a pirate and desen^es no quarter. 
If the ventilation is not sufficient, the engineer will open 

the throttle. 
114 



Just for Fun 115 

Holders of this ticket will be punched by the conductor, 

both when starting and at the beginning of return 

trip. 
Passengers having the grip must have it checked and 

carried in the baggage-car. 
Any person tr>ing to dispose of this ticket will be 

scalped. 
Company not responsible for cattle, or persons, killed or 

crippled by sandwiches thrown from windows by 

passengers. 

THE STATIONS AT WHICH THIS TRAIN STOPS ARE: 

1. Newark. ii. Saratoga. 

2. Fort Worth. 12. Bath. 

3. Chicago. 13. Lansing. 

4. Council Bluffs. * 14. Salt Lake City. 

5. Fall River. 15. Old Point Comfort. 

6. Baltimore. 16. Da3''ton. 

7. Cincinnati. 17. Springfield. 

8. Troy. 18. West Point. 

9. Providence. 19. Wheeling. 
10. Grand Rapids. 20. Tarrjtown. 

The names of the stations are not written on the 
tickets beforehand, but are put there by the guests, 
as they guess them. On cards placed around the 
room are the following conundrums, the answers 
to which are the stations : 

1. An improvement on the ship which grounded on Mount 

Ararat. 

2. A military defense and a Paris dressmaker. 

3. A city whose aim and end is " go." 

4. Our board of city fathers, also a precipice. 

5. An accident and a stream of water. 

6. A large dance, an even vote, a poet's name. 



116 Just for Fun 

7. A deceased farmer who was twice dictator of Rome. 

8. Named for an ancient city, whose downfall after a long 

siege avenged the abduction of a woman. 

9. What we all should trust. 

10. An adjective and rushing waters. 

11. A girl's name and a Roman garment. 

12. What a dirty newsboy needs. 

13. A surgical operation. 

14. A condiment, a body of water, and a community. 

15. A valuable lace and a bedcovering. 

16. A period of time and 2,000 lbs. 

17. A season and a piece of land. 

18. Point of compass and a sharp end. 

19. Method of propeUing an infant, 

20. A place for loiterers. 

After the stations are all guessed, the company is 
supposed to have arrived at the college; and the 
first thought of a homesick student is a letter home. 
Pass pencils and sheets of blue paper with the fol- 
lowing list of words down the center of the sheets : 

Mother 

train 

girls or boys 

Matron or Professor 

homesick 

Professor 

Lessons 

lights 

meals 

home 



Just for Fun 



117 



Write on each side of the Hst, making these 
words fit into the sentences as they come. Have the 
letters read after they are written. 

Invite the guests to a college spread, which should 
be served on the floor, with cushions for seats, 
and an assortment of dishes. Sandwiches, cheese 
wafers, olives, and anything easy to get and hard 
to digest would be suitable. Have little pasteboard 
suit-cases filled with candy for souvenirs. 

Decorate with college pennants or colors. 

Hallowe'en 

Have your decorations black and yellow, using 
pumpkins, black cats, and witches. 

Game 



CATS 

1. A musical cat. 

2. An optical cat. 

3. A treetop cat. 

4. Golden cats. 

5. A calamitous cat. 

6. An elevated cat. 

7. An underground cat. 

8. A cat that cats love. 

9. A cat with many tails. 

10. A cat with many heads. 

11. A nautical cat. 



Catgut. 

Cataract. 

Catbird. 

Ducats. 

Catastrophe. 

Catamount. 

Catacomb. 

Catnip. 

Cat-o'-nine-tails. 

Catalog. 

Catboat. 



118 



Just for Fun 



12. A churchly cat. 

13. A nasal cat. 

14. A spiced cat. 

15. A cat that is a dupe. 

16. A gloomy cat. 

17. A game cat. 

18. An electrical cat. 

19. A cat that girls pursue. 

20. A cat fit. 

21. A crawling cat. 
2.2. A restful cat. 

23. An orchestral cat. 



Catechism. 

Catarrh. 

Catsup. 

Cat's-paw. 

Catafalque. 

Cat's-cradle. 

Cathode rays. 

A catch. 

Catalepsy. 

Caterpillar. 

Cat-nap. 

Thomas cat. 



Hang apples on strings in the doorways to be bit- 
ten, without touching with the hands. Float apples 
in a tub, and try to catch them with the teeth. 

Nutting Party 

The decorations should be autumn leaves, or a 
mingling of red and yellow. Invitations might be 
written on cards representing leaves. 



Game 
the tale of a pig 

By Doctor Squirrel 

The (Nutcracker) went on a spree; 
He picked up a fine company. 



Just for Fun 119 

First came Miss (Hazel) in green; 
Of all she was easily queen. 

Beside her walked the man from (Brazil) 
With his brother, whose first name was (Fil). 

From (acorn) field near-by there arose, 
The squeal of a (pig) drowned in woes. 

And (Hazel) demanded to hear 
The cause of this great cry of fear. 

Through a crack in the (wal) (Fil) was (pecan), 
And he heard the little (pig) speakin'. 

" I ran clear away t9 the (beach) 
Though my mother did strongly beseech, 

"And said that I (butternut) flee 
Or a (hickory) switch it would be. 

" I'd heard this tale often before, 

This (chestnut) was now a great bore. 

" I decided I'd not heed her warning. 
And started out early this morning. 

" I found a small hole in the (wal) 
Through which I did easily crawl. 

" And when I got down to the shore, 
I saw the good ship Commodore. 

" The boy stood on the burning deck 
Eating (peanuts) by the peck. 

" I was so frightened by the sight, 
I turned about and took to flight. 



120 Just for Fun 

"And ran and ran till (candle-) light, 
Showed me that it was almost night. 

" I cannot find my home at all, 
So laid me down beside this (wal). 

" And here I fear I will expire, 
And find no more my dear old mire." 

(Hazel) was to pity moved, 

His (cocoanut) she bathed and soothed. 

(Fil) and his brother picked him up 
And said : " At home to-night you'll sup. 

"A (Buckeye) you were born and bred, 
A (Buckeye) you'll be when you're dead." 

The party returned by the little (pig's) home, 
And the trio decided no farther to roam. 

On a separate slip of paper have the nuts, which 
are to be filled in by the guests, written as many 
times as each word will be needed, but not in order, 
and let them fill in the blanks from this slip. The 
words may be arranged as follows : 

Butternut. Acorn. 

Peanuts. Wal-nut. 

Cocoanut. Fil-bert. 

Pig-nut. Chestnut. 

Nutcracker. Pig-nut. 

Pig-nut. Hazel-nut. 

Hazel-nut. Buckeye. 



Just for Fun 121 

Hickory-nut. Pecan. 

Fil-bert. Hazel-nut. 

Buckeye. Wal-nut. 

Wal-nut. Fil-bert. 

Candle-nut. Brazil-nut. 
Beech-nut. 

Hide peanuts around the room and have a hunt 
for them. The one getting the most nuts might be 
given a nut bowl or nutcracker. 

Seat the persons present in groups of four, each 
group at a small table on which stands a jar or can 
of peanuts. Let each member of a group take three 
turns at a time in trying to spear the nuts with a 
hatpin. At the end of a certain length of time, let 
the two who have been most successful move on 
to the next table. 

Serve gelatine with nuts and nutcake. 



NOVEMBER 

At Thanksgiving-time the harvest idea is upper- 
most. Pin on the back of each guest the name of 
some vegetable ; then let each ask questions from the 
others, and from the replies guess the vegetable they 
represent. A good mixer. 

Game 
love on the farm 

A (potato) went on a mash 

And sought an (onion) bed. 
" That's pie for me," observed the (squash) 

And all the (beets) turned red. 

"Go awajV' the (onion) weeping cried, 

" Your love I cannot be ! 
The (pumpkin) is your lawful bride; 

You (cantaloup) with me." 

But onward still the (tuber) came, 

And lay down at her feet: 
"You (cauliflower) by any name, 

And it will smell as (wheat). 

" I too am an early (rose) 

And you I've come to see, 
So don't (turnip) your lovely nose, 
But (spinach) at with me." 
122 



I 



Just for Fun 123 

" I do not (carrot) all to wed, 

So go, sir, if you please," 
The modest (onion) meekly said, 

"And (lettuce) pray have (peas). 

" Go think that j^ou have never seen 

Myself, or known my sigh. 
Too long a maiden I have been. 

For favors in your (rye)." 

"(Asparagus)," the (tuber) prayed, 
" My (cherry) shed bride you'll be. 

You are the only weeping maid 
That's (currant) now with me." 

And as the wily (luber) spoke. 

He caught her by surprise. 
And giving her an (artichoke), 

Devoured her with his eyes. 

Write the words to be inserted on a separate slip, 
and on the top of each slip and the top of each 
sheet bearing the above verses put half of the name 
of a vegetable, such as '' tur " on the one and " nip ''' 
on the other, and in this way bring partners for 
the game together. The words on the slip should 
be arransred as follows : 



'fa' 



Onion. Cherry. 

Pumpkin. Onion. 

Lettuce. Wheat. 

Onion. Carrot. 

Tuber. Tuber. 



124 



Just for Fun 




Cauliflower. 


Currant. 


Rose. 


Artichoke. 


Peas. 


Tuber. 


Rye. 


Turnip. 


Potato. 


Squash. 


Beets. 


Spinach. 


Asparagus. 


Cantaloup 



Serve pop-corn, apples, coffee, and gingerbread. 



DECEMBER 

Furnish each guest with a cardboard bell, on 
which the word Christmas is written down one side. 
Use each letter to begin a word, and make the whole 
a Christmas greeting or wish. 

If an open fireplace can be used, prepare small 
fagots, or bundles of sticks, and let each guest tell a 
Christmas story while his fagot burns; or let it be 
a continued story — when one fagot burns out, the 
next person taking up the tale. 

Place in a large pan small gifts or favors for 
the guests. Cover the pan with light-brown tissue- 
paper, which, with water-colors, can easily be made 
to represent the top of a pie. If it is used as a 
centerpiece for the table, run ribbons from the gifts 
through the paper cover to the places. At a given 
signal let the ribbons be pulled, and the favors can 
easily be pulled through the paper, or let some one 
cut the pie and pass it. 

Tiny tarlatan stockings, filled with candy and pop- 
corn, may be used instead of favors. 

Serve pimento sandwiches and salad, coffee and 
red mints. 

125 



126 



Just for Fun 



Turkey Game 

1. What part of a turkey is used in 

music? 

2. What does the dressmaker do 

to the turkey ? 

3. Why has the turkey five rea- 

sons for being sad? 



4. When is a turkey like a small 

boy who has eaten too much ? 

5. What feathers find a place on 

my lady's dresser? 

6. What part of a turkey is a part 

of a sentence? 

7. What part of a turkey is an 

Oriental ? 

8. What part of the turkey appears 

on the field of battle ? 



Feet. 

She bastes it. 

He gets it in 
the neck. 

He gets a 
roasting. 

He is much 
cut up. 

We all pick 
on him, and 
after this 
he is in the 
soup. 

When he is 
stuffed. 

Pin-feathers. 
Claws. 
Turk. 
Drumstick. 



Just for Fun 127 

9. What part of the turkey opens Key. 
the door ? 

10. What part of the turkey assists Comb. 

my lady in making her toilet ? 

11. What part of the turkey is a Tail. 

story ? 

12. When a turkey is cooking, in Greece. 

what country is he? 



^ 



I 



VI 

A WEEK AT CAMP 



THE SUNBONNET BABIES' CALENDAR 

The days of a camping party are usually pretty 
full, with boating, bathing, long walks, etc.; but 
in the evening, when all are in camp, it is some- 
times pleasant to have some games ready. Try a 
week according to the " Sunbonnet Babies' Cal- 
endar." 

Get as many sets of the post-cards as there are 
guests, and place a card' at each place at noon or 
evening of each day, with the evening's program 
suggested on it by a little jingle. 

MONDAY 

Rubbie, dub, dub, 
Three men in a tub. 

Have a large tub of water in which float three 
apples with faces cut on the sides. Let the guests 
try to rescue these men by catching the apples 
with their teeth. 

After a good deal of fun and splashing, the 
clothes must be dried, and a taffy-pull would be 
a good way. 

Next furnish each guest with some crepe paper 
and paste, and with a clothespin on which has 

131 



132 Just for Fun 

been drawn a face; and let them make dolls from 
these. Stretch a line, and when the dolls are com- 
pleted, fasten them on the line for exhibition. 

TUESDAY 
Too many irons in the fire. 

On ironing day when the fire is hot, something is 
usually baked or roasted ; so you might have a corn 
and potato roast in the bonfire, and while the roast- 
ing is going on let each one in the group help pass 
the time with story or song. 

WEDNESDAY 
A stitch in time saves nine. 

The washing and ironing finished, a good house- 
wife must look over the clothes and mend them ; so 
on Wednesday evening let the girls get out their 
fancy work, and let the boys take turns in reading 
to them. 

THURSDAY 

Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man, 
Bake me a cake as fast as you can. 

It is not good for any one to be selfish in his pleas- 
ure, so let the camp extend its hospitality to the 
other camps and share with them some of the fun. 



Just for Fun 133 

Have a fudge party, or let the girls bake something 
nice for a treat. Games can be adapted to suit the 
company from some of those in other parts of this 
book. 

FRIDAY 

" Old woman, old woman, old woman," quoth I, 
" Oh whither, oh whither, oh whither, so high ? " 

" To brush the cobwebs off the sky." 
" Shall I go with you? " "Aye, by and by." 

Wind strings of different colors around the room, 
over the doors, under tables, and as far as time, 
string, and patience will allow, having one string for 
each person. As Friday is cleaning day, instruct 
the young folks to clear away the cobwebs, each 
winding up a string. At the end of each string, 
place some little toy brooms, dust-pans, etc., or, if 
preferred, little jokes on the different persons in the 
company. 

Let them clear out their brains by writing little 
jingles about the broom, dustpan, mop, etc. 

SATURDAY 

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig, 
Home again, home again, rig-a-jig-jig. 

Take a trip to town (if near enough) to buy 
supplies for Sunday. Divide the company in groups, 
and give each group some part of the next day's 



134 Just for Fun 

dinner to buy, allowing them to use their own pleas- 
ure in deciding what to get; for instance, give one 
the meat, another the vegetables, another dessert, 
etc., and let each keep it a secret as far as possible. 

SUNDAY 

Sunday, the day that is blest with heavenly peace and rest. 
(Place card on breakfast-table.) 

On Sunday walk to the nearest church, and by 
your presence and attention cheer up the heart of 
some overworked country pastor. After the sur- 
prise dinner and a nap, a quiet evening spent in 
reading and music will send the campers back to 
work on Monday morning refreshed and happy. 



VII 

TABLE DECORATIONS 



EARLY SPRING 

A brown basket filled with yellow jonquils makes 
an attractive centerpiece. From this center have 
alternate strips of ribbon or tissue in yellow and 
brown running to each plate. Make place-cards 
with names in gilt. 



SPRING BLOSSOMS 

Make a miniature orchard with fruit-blossom 
branches. Fill a large flat platter or pan with wet 
sand. Stick small branches of blossoms into spools 
and put them in the sand in rows to look like trees 
in full bloom. Around the trees place moss, and in 
the center have a looking-glass lake or stream, with 
tiny flowers along the edge. A few ducks, a farmer 
doll, and a horse and cart will help make it more 
real. 

SUMMER 

For a hot summer night a green-and-silver table 
will look refreshing. Hang a crescent moon made 

137 



138 Just for Fun 

of cardboard covered with silver paper over the 
table. For place-cards use smaller moons set up in 
a rosette of light-green ribbon. Cross two green 
ribbons in the center of the table, and place several 
glass candlesticks along them. Do not overdo the 
decorations, or you will take away the cool appear- 
ance sought. 

A showy centerpiece could be made of individual 
bouquets massed together in the center of the table 
and ribbons tied to these run out to each place. 
When the guests are ready to leave the table, each 
pulls a ribbon and receives a corsage bouquet. 

This might be used also for an announcement 
party. When the bouquets are pulled away, a cupid 
is left in the center, and on each bouquet will be 
found a card with the names of the engaged couple 
upon it. 



FALL 

When the leaves are turning, and the frost is on 
the pumpkin, and the season of real festivities be- 
gins, a beautiful table could be arranged with little 
trouble by placing in the center of the table a large 
brown basket or vase, filled with brightly colored 
shrubs or those with berries, and scattering colored 
maple-leaves here and there over the table. 



Just for Fun 139 

A great deal of fun could be had from a vegetable. 
Take out the heart of a cabbage, leaving the green 
curling leaves, and in this center place a parsnip 
with a face drawn on it and a white collar fastened 
around it with a red tie. Put some parsley on top 
for hair. 

A number of vegetables and fruits lend themselves 
easily to the making of heads and faces, and these 
tied to the place-cards will add greatly to the fun. 



WINTER 

To produce a winter scene, take a doll's house, 
place a candle inside, cover the roof with cotton for 
snow, and pull a little down over the edges. Make 
the rest of the center as large as you wish it with 
cotton, and down the center of this snow-field, lead- 
ing past the house, make the outline of a road, and 
place a few dead twigs along it for bushes, and on 
the road have a wagon and horse with a well- 
wrapped-up driver. In the wagon place your 
candies to be served at the end of the meal. 

Of course red and green are used extensively for 
winter decorations, especially at Christmastime, and 
the red and green crepe paper and the holly, real and 
artificial, make it easy to produce very attractive 



140 Just for Fun 

decorations. But to digress from the usual method, 
let us try the cotton and diamond-dust, and make 
truly winter scenes, such as a little red schoolhouse, 
hid in a group of cedars with cinnamon-drop berries, 
and surrounded by a fence of candy rails. 



I 

VIII 



INVITATIONS 



FORMS TO QUICKEN INTEREST 

Child's Party. Write the following invitation on 
children's decorated letter-paper if possible to get it, 
or use correspondence cards and paste pictures of 
children on the corners. 

Sing a song of sixpence, 

A pocket full of rye. 
A group of merry children 

To my house will hie. 

4 

At three o'clock we're expecting you 

Next Saturday afternoon. 
Come and join the games we play 

To a jolly, jolly tune. 

The king is in his counting-house, 

Counting out his money, 
The children are in the parlor 

Eating bread and honey. 

The maid will bring in other things 

For one and all, you know; 
And then it will be six o'clock, 

And every one must go. 

Or, 

Won't you come to my party 

Next Saturday afternoon? 
From three to six the hours will be. 

The fun will start right soon. 



144 Just for Fun 

Correspondence-cards make up easily into any 
kind of unusual invitation, and are more easily 
mailed than those made in odd sizes or shapes. 
Stickers for all the special holidays can be gotten to 
decorate them, and if these are not obtainable, pic- 
tures, sprays of flowers, holly, or conventional 
designs may be cut out of magazines and pasted on. 
Make the invitation suit the season or occasion if 
possible, as this adds interest, especially when you 
are inviting a large company. 

Let your invitations give promise of what is to 
follow, and most people will want to come to see 
what is promised. Forms given elsewhere in this 
book will serve to illustrate what is meant. From 
these suggestions others suitable to local conditions 
can be easily worked out. 



IX 
CATCHES 



K 



THE MOON-FACE AND OTHERS 

1. " I saw the moon last night. It was round and 
had two eyes, a nose, and a mouth." 

Repeat the above slowly, and with the left hand 
make a circle around the face as you say, " It was 
round," and point to the eyes, nose, and mouth as 
these are mentioned. Then ask the others to do the 
same thing. They will involuntarily do it with the 
right hand, which is wrong. 

2. Crossed and Uncrossed. Seat your guests in a 
circle. Take a pair of closed scissors, and cross 
your feet, and then say, " I received them crossed 
and pass them crossed," handing the scissors to your 
next neighbor, who must tell how they are received 
and how they are passed to the next neighbor. The 
point is that it is your feet and not the scissors that 
are crossed or uncrossed. If you do it several differ- 
ent ways, without attracting attention to your feet, 
it will be mystifying. 

3. Satisfied. Ask the company to stand in a 
circle ; then ask them one at a time, " Are you satis- 
fied," and be sure that you get some to answer " No." 
When every one has been asked, announce that all 
those who are satisfied can proceed to do something 
else, and those that are not can stand there until 
they are satisfied. 

147 



148 Just for Fun 

4. Going Up in the Airship. Get a short plank, 
heavy enough to hold the weight of a person, place 
it on blocks, or books, so that the ends are free. 
Blindfold the person who is willing to take the ride, 
have him step on the board, place one hand on the 
head of some one who stands in front of him, and 
then let two men lift the board very slowly about a 
foot or two off the ground, while the person stand- 
ing in front stoops slowly down as far as he can. 
The sensation is that of being lifted almost to the 
ceiling, and will make lots of fun, with no real 
danger. 

5. An Indian Initiation. Have ready two saucers 
with a little water in them, and on the bottom of 
one put lampblack, or some coloring which will come 
off easily with water. Ask the would-be Indian to 
stand facing you, and tell him to do exactly as you 
do, and you will teach him the signs of the Indians. 
The saucers are then brought in, and the one with the 
coloring is given to the victim while you hold the 
clean one. Then, with many warnings of secrecy 
and pledges of faith, tell the person facing you you 
are ready to begin. Dip your finger in the water 
three times, run it around the bottom of the saucer 
several times, and then make crosses, stripes, and 
circles on your face. Your saucer being clean, there 
will be no mark; but your victim will be a pleasing 
sight when finished. 



I 



X 

MISCELLANEOUS GAMES 



CAKE-WALK 

1. What cake did the society woman buy? 

Reception. 

2. What cake did the schoolgirl buy? 

Composition. 

3. What cake did the grocer buy? 

Sugar. 

4. What cake did the artist buy? 

'Exhibition. 

5. What cake did the farmer buy? 

Harvest. 

6. What cake did the mean man buy? 

Sponge. 

7. What cake did the tramp buy? 

Loaf. 

8. What cake did the minister buy? 

Scripture. 

9. What cake did the milliner buy? 

Feather. 

10. What cake did the maiden aunt buy? 

Tea. 

11. What cake did the dairyman buy? 

Cream. 

12. What cake did the champion buy? 

Cup. 



151 



152 Just for Fun 

13. What cake did the pretty girls buy? 

Ribbon. 

14. What cake did the jockey buy? 

Horse. 

15. What cake did the shoemaker buy? 

The last. 

16. What cake did the sculptor buy? 

Marble. 

17. What cake did the small boys buy? 

Snowball. 

18. What cake did the gossip buy? 

Spice. 

19. What cake did the Bryan man buy? 

Silver. 

20. What cake did the young man buy for his 

sweetheart ? Angel. 

21. What cake did the fond mamma buy for her 

daughter ? Wedding: 

22. What cake did the candidate for office buy? 

Election. 
22). What cake did the politicians buy? 

Plum. 

24. What cake did the geologist buy? 

Layer-cake. 

25. What cake did the advertiser buy? 

Puffs. 

26. What cake did the tailor buy ? 

Measure. 



Just for Fun 153 

2^. What cake did the farmer buy? 

Hoe-cake. 

28. What cake did the jeweler buy? 

Gems. 

29. What cake did the irritable man buy? 

Shortcake and gingersnaps. 

30. What cake did the baby buy? 

Flannel. 

31. What cake did the sufferer from hay-fever 

buy? White Mountain. 

32. What cake did the pugilist buy? 

'Pound-cake. 

33. What cake did the dude buy? 

Johnny-cake. 

34. What cake did the belle buy? 

Vanity. 

35. What cake did the music-teacher buy? 

1-2-3-4. 

Write proverbs on paper cookies, slice them, and 
use them for matching partners. 

' The answers to the following questions are found 
on a dime : 

1. Fruit of a tropical tree. Date. 

2. What the Siamese twins were. United. 

3. What a lazy man seldom gets. A head. 

4. A division of a country. State. 



154 



Just for Fun 



5. The cradle of liberty. 

6. Something a schoolboy makes. 

7. An instrument to catch sound. 

8. What makes the forest green. 

9. Another name for an isthmus. 
10. Part of a river where the fourth 

letter of the Greek alphabet 

is sometimes formed. 
A sailor's measure of distance 

at sea. 
Two articles for trimming a 

child's hat. 
A pleasant companion on a dark 

night. 



II. 



12. 



13 



America. 

Figures. 

Ear. 

Foliage. 

Neck. 

INIouth. 



Knot. 

Wreath and 

ribbon. 
Bow. 



MUSICAL ROMANCE 
{Snatches of these may he played if desired.) 

1. What was her name? 

Sweet Alice. 

2. What was his name? 

Captain Jinks. 

3. Where did they first meet? 

Comin' Thro' the Rye. 

4. Where were they both born? 

In Dixie. 



Just for Fun 155 

5. What was she singing? 

Love's Old Sweet Song. 

6. What was he singing? 

AHce, Where Art Thou? 

7. What did he finally bid her? 

A Soldier's Farewell. 

8. Where did he go? 

Marching Through Georgia. 

9. Where did he spend his nights? 

Tenting on the Old Camp 
Ground. 

10. What did the band ^lay when he returned? 

When Johnny Comes 
Marching Home. 

11. Where were they married? 

Old Kentucky Home. 

12. Who was her maid of honor? 

Annie Laurie. 

13. Who was best man? 

Robin Adair. 

14. Who played the wedding-march? 

Old Dan Tucker. 

15. What did he give her? 

The Last Rose of Summer. 

16. What did he tie it with? 

The Lost Chord 

17. After the ceremony what did they hear? 

Jingle Bells. 



156 Just for Fun 

i8. What did the ushers sing to the bridesmaids? 

Good Night, Ladies. 

19. Where did the couple go on their honeymoon? 

Maryland, My Maryland. 

20. Whom did they think about while they were 

away? The Old Folks at Home. 

21. Who met them at the station when they re- 

turned ? Old Black Joe. 

22. What did they both love most? 

Home, Sweet Home. 

23. Where did they always stay? 

America. 



A SHAKESPERIAN ROMANCE 

1. Who were the lovers? 

Romeo and Juliet. 

2. What was her answer to his proposal? 

As you Like It. 

3. What was their courtship like? 

A Midsummer Night's 
Dream. 

4. About what time of the month were they mar- 

ried? Twelfth Night. 

5. Of whom did he buy the ring? 

The Merchant of Venice. 



Just for Fun 157 

6. Who were the ushers ? 

Two Gentlemen of Verona. 

7. Who gave the reception? 

The Merry Wives of Wind- 
sor. 

8. What was her disposition like? 

The Tempest. 

9. What was his chief occupation after marriage ? 

Taming of the Shrew. 

10. What caused their first quarrel? 

JVIuch Ado About Nothing. 

11. What did their courtship prove to be? 

Love's Labor. Lost. 

12. What did their married life resemble? 

A Comedy of Errors. 

13. What did they give each other? 

Measure for Measure. 

14. What Roman ruler brought about reconciliation? 

Julius Caesar. 

The following questions are to be answered with 
words beginning with each guest's own initials : 

1. What is your occupation? 

2. How do you spend your vacations? 

3. What is your hobby ? 

4. What is your favorite flower? 



158 Just for Fun 

5. What is your favorite dish? 

6. What is your favorite book? 

7. Whom do you Hke best? 

8. What would you do if caught out in the rain ? 

9. What is most becoming to your sweetheart? 
ID. What do you most disHke to do? 

1 1 . What do you Hke to do most ? 

12." Where was Moses when the Hght went out? 

Exchange papers and read the answers. 



GATES 

1. What gate proclaims and pub- Promulgate. 

lishes ? 

2. A gate of an inquiring turn. Interrogate. 

3. A gate full of wrinkles. Corrugate. 

4. A gate which travels by water. Navigate. 

5. A gate which increases in Elongate. 

length. 

6. A gate which conquers and sub- Subjugate. 

dues. 

7. A gate which acts as a repre- Delegate. 

sentative. 

8. A gate which cleanses. Fumigate. 



Just for Fun 159 

9. A gate which sends people into Relegate, 
exile. 

10. A gate which waters the land. Irrigate. 

11. A gate of many colors. Variegate. 

12. A gate which assembles. Congregate. 

13. A gate which seeks knowledge. Investigate. 

14. A gate which includes the Aggregate. 

whole. 

15. A gate which sails the sea. Frigate. 



TOPICS OF CONVERSATION 

Write the following list of topics on a card, let 
partners be chosen, and five minutes or less allowed 
for each topic. This is an excellent thing for 
making strangers acquainted. 

1. Boating. 

2. Riding. 

3. Music. 

4. Games. 

5. Books. 

6. School. " 

7. Favorite amusement. 

8. The best Fourth of July you ever had. 

9. Moonlight. 
10. Vacations. 



160 



Just for Fun 



NUTS 



1. What nut is a beverage? 

2. What nut would be of use in 

the dark? 

3. What nut is a vegetable? 

4. What nut grows on the feet? 

5. What nut is a part of the 

house ? 

6. What nut is a country? 

7. What nut suggests a fog? 

8. What nut is a girl's name? 

9. What nut is an animal? 

10. What nut begins a Mother 

Goose rhyme? 

11. What nut combines two abbre- 

viations of boys' names? 



Cocoanut. 
Candlenut. 

Peanut. 

Acorn. 

Walnut. 

Brazil. 

Hazelnut. 

Nutmeg. 

Pignut. 

Hickory-nut. 

Filbert. 



LOST AUTHORS 
American 



1. Big red wort. 

2. Oh sing nig. 

3. So wet. 

4. Her wit it. 

5. By tarn. 



Trowbridge. 

Higginson. 

Stowe. 

Whittier. 

Bryant. 



Just for Fun 


6. I swill. 


Willis. 


7. Lo mesh. 


Holmes. 


8. Bad run. 


Dunbar. 


9. We loll. 


Lowell. 


10. Virgin. 


Irving. 


Foreign 




I. So sat. 


Tasso. 


2. Sick Ned. 


Dickens. 


3. At den. 


Dante. 


4. Bring now. 

5. Tin mol. 


Browning. 
Milton. 


6. Ask her pease. 

7. Hay racket. 

8. Sly heel. 

9. Steak. 


Shakespeare 
Thackeray. 
Shelley. 
Keats. 


10. To whit. 


Howitt. 



161 



TWISTED FLOWERS 



1. Mansymuchreth. 

2. Oliednnad. 

3. Oemanne. 

4. Catehpai. 

5. Mallewtiswei. 

6. Athevylifoyllel. 

7. Raksrupl. 



Chrysanthemum. 

Dandelion. 

Anemone. 

Hepatica. 

Sweet-william. 

Lily-of-the-valley. 

Larkspur. 



162 



Just for Fun 



8. Dichro. 

9. Edhornodnrod. 

10. Xohlp. 

11. Annizi. 

12. Antocrain. 

13. Dreganhay. 

14. Rastimunut. 

15. Reswunofl. 

16. Logovfex. 

17. Merangui. 

18. Lezaaa. 

19. Alasijen. 

20. Elcamits. 



Orchid. 

Rhododendron. 

Phlox. 

Zinnia. 

Carnation. 

Hydrangea. 

Nasturtium. 

Sunflower. 

Foxglove. 

Geranium. 

Azalea. 

Jasmine. 

Clematis. 



NAMES OF GAMES ILLUSTRATED 

Take a number of sheets of drawing-paper, and 
paste on these pictures to illustrate different well- 
known games. Number them, and place them about 
the room, and ask the company to guess w^hat 
games are meant. Here are a few games, and sug- 
gestions for representing them: 



Tennis. 
Croquet. 



The letter S preceded by the figure 

10. 
A crow cut from black paper, and 

the letter K. 



Just for Fun 



163 



Euchre. 

Pussy Wants 
a Corner. 

Ring Around 
the Rosy. 

Checkers. 



Tenpins. 
Football. 
Basket-ball. 



A capital U and the picture of a 

dog. 
Draw a circle, and put a cat in the 

center. 
Draw a circle and put a rose in the 

center. 
Paste a regular bank-check on the 

sheet, and surround it with a 

number of copies of the letter R. 
Ten pins of various sizes and kinds. 
A picture of a foot and a ball. 
A pictute of a basket and a child 

crying. 



A MENTAL PORTRAIT 



Put the following questions, or as many of them 
as you care to use, on sheets of paper, and have your 
guests answer them; then collect the sheets, and 
have them read, and let the people guess, if they 
can, who wrote each one : 

My favorite color is 

My favorite flower is 

My favorite book is 



My favorite animal is 

My favorite season is 

My favorite poet or poetess is 



164 Just for Fun 



My favorite prose-writer is 
My favorite composer is — 



My favorite character in history is 

My favorite character in romance is 

My favorite scenery is 

My favorite music is 

My favorite amusement is 

My favorite occupation during a summer's vaca- 
tion is 

My pet hobby is 

My chief ambition in life is 

The trait I most admire in woman is 

The trait I most admire in man is 

The trait I most detest in each is 



The fault for which I have the most toleration in 

another person is 

That for which I have the least is 



The qualifications I most desire in a matrimonial 

partner are 

^ly idea of perfect happiness is 

My idea of real misery is 



Above everything else I am fond of 

Of the various modes of travel I prefer 

If privileged to make a journey, the single place or 
country I would prefer to visit, above all others, 

would be 

As a traveling companion I would most highly ap- 
preciate ' 



Just for Fun 165 

Shipwrecked on a desolate island, I would most 

desire 

The greatest wonder in the world, according to my 

estimate, is 

As an inventor, I think the greatest service toward 

the world's progress has been rendered by 

The greatest folly of the age, in my opinion, is 

!My motto is 



: LEAtJl^ 



II 



